Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Greg Deighan is calling for nominations for the Provincial Minister's Shellfish Recognition Award.
The award is presented to senior members of the PEI shellfish industry each year during the Prince Edward Island International Shellfish Festival in September.
"The shellfish industry contributes a great deal to our economy in Prince Edward Island and that is a direct result of the hard work and dedication of our industry pioneers," said Minister Deighan. "This award is an excellent opportunity to recognize those individuals who have contributed so much to the development and harvest of quality Island shellfish."
Past recipients of the Provincial Minister's Shellfish Recognition Award are Wayne Somers, Leslie Hardy, Art Smith, Eugene McKenna, George Carr, Rogers Burleigh, Marne Lewis, Ernie Beagan, and Russell Dockendorff Senior.
The deadline for nominations for the 2003 awards is September 3, 2003. Nominations will be assessed by a selection committee comprised of members of the PEI shellfish industry and representatives of the Department of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Environment. Nomination forms can be found online at www.gov.pe.ca/go/shellfishaward or by calling (902) 368-5525.
The 2003 Provincial Minister's Shellfish Recognition Awards will be presented at the opening ceremonies of the Prince Edward Island International Shellfish Festival September 19 in the festival tent at Peake's Wharf in Charlottetown. A joint effort of the PEI Aquaculture Alliance and the PEI Shellfish Association, the weekend festival features quality Island shellfish, oyster shucking competitions, cooking demonstrations and top Island entertainment. For more information on the festival, visit the Web site at www.peishellfish.com.