Two pioneers of the Prince Edward Island shellfish industry were honoured Friday for their longstanding contributions to the growth and development of the industry.
Dennis O’Shea of Glenfinnan and Roy Winn of Conway are this year’s recipients of the Provincial Minister’s Shellfish Recognition Awards. The awards were presented by Provincial Treasurer Mitch Murphy on behalf of Kevin MacAdam, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Aquaculture, during the official opening of the Prince Edward Island International Shellfish Festival on Friday. Nominations for the award come from industry organizations, industry members or the general public.
“These awards recognize those individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the development of the Prince Edward Island shellfish industry and the quality reputation that it enjoys in domestic and international markets,” said Mr. Murphy. “I want to congratulate Mr. O’Shea and Mr. Winn for their visionary leadership, dedication and hard work on behalf of everyone in the shellfish industry.”
Dennis O’Shea
Mr. O’Shea has been involved in the shellfish industry for more than 50 years. He began working with his father at a young age, when he was old enough to pick oysters in the Hillsborough River at low tide. When the cultivated mussel industry began to emerge in the mid 1970s, he fished wild mussel seed for the pioneer growers. He was the first to attempt to cultivate mussels in the Hillsborough River, and went on to acquire leases in Tracadie Bay and Savage Harbour. In 1988, he built a processing plant at Glenfinnan, and began to ship mussels throughout Canada under the company, East River Shellfish. He served as a director for East River for the Queens County Shellfish Association in the 1960s and 1970s. As a shellfish fisherman, mussel grower and processor, he has made a huge contribution to the industry and to the marketplace.
Roy Winn
Mr. Winn has worked tirelessly in the industry for close to 35 years. His career began in 1970 on the staff of Malpeque Oyster Cultures Incorporated, which spawned and raised millions of oyster spat which were sold to leaseholders across the Island. These efforts were instrumental in introducing the concept of shellfish aquaculture to many of the Island’s oyster leaseholders. He later worked with the Prince Edward Island Shellfish Association which initiated an oyster seed collection program in the Bideford River to enhance public oyster grounds in the province. He continues to be involved in all aspects of oyster development, including relays of oyster and broodstock, monitoring for the presence of larvae, setting and maintaining collectors and harvesting the spat for spreading. He is also involved in researching quahaug aquaculture. He has made a significant contribution to the oyster industry, which has doubled in landings over the past 15 years.
The Provincial Minister’s Shellfish Recognition Awards are presented annually in conjunction with the International Shellfish Festival. The festival includes such highlights as cooking demonstrations, oyster shucking and seafood chowder competitions, the International Prince Edward Island Shellfish Chef Challenge, as well as top Island entertainment and lots of quality shellfish to enjoy.
Revenues from the sale of shellfish assist the festival hosts, the Prince Edward Island Aquaculture Alliance and the Prince Edward Island Shellfish Association in the work they carry out on behalf of the industry. This is the 10th year for the festival.