Two leading members of the shellfish industry were recognized for their contributions to the growth and development of the industry on Friday during the Prince Edward Island International Shellfish Festival.
Clifford Bernard, Tignish, and Bill Murley, New Haven, were named as this year’s recipients of the Provincial Minister’s Shellfish Recognition Awards. The awards were presented by Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister Allan Campbell. Nominations for the award are made by industry organizations and the public.
“The recipients of this year’s award are to be congratulated for their outstanding efforts in contributing to the development of the Prince Edward Island shellfish industry’s international reputation for the high quality of its products,” said Mr. Campbell. “They have been highly successful in their own operations and have worked hard on behalf of the industry as a whole.”
Bernard has been involved in the shellfish industry for the past 14 years. As an oyster fisher, he has worked tirelessly in areas such as enhancement of the resource and protection of shellfish habitat. For the past three years, he has been president of the Prince Edward Island Shellfish Association.
Murley purchased his first oyster lease in the early 1980s and has been active in the oyster and quahaug fishery. He was a past president and is currently vice-president of the Shellfish Association. He has been active in enhancement activities and works closely with others in the industry to ensure the future of oyster stocks.
The total landed value of shellfish, including mussels, oysters, clams and quahaugs, is approximately $30 million annually. About 3000 people are involved in the shellfish industry.
Mr. Campbell commended the members of the industry who are involved in the Shellfish Festival over the coming weekend which will feature high quality Prince Edward Island shellfish to thousands of visitors.
BACKGROUNDER
Clifford Bernard:
Clifford Bernard has been deeply involved in the shellfish industry for the past 14 years. As an oyster fisher, he has made a tremendous contribution to the industry through his enhancement efforts and protection of species.
Clifford was born in Tignish on April 19, 1930. He and Julia, his wife of 48 years, still reside in Tignish where they raised two children, Loretta and Ross.
Clifford actually started out as a baker and for 35 years he owned and operated Bernard’s Bakery in Tignish. His transition from baking to fishing is due to his son Ross, who added oyster fishing demonstrations to his boat tour operation in Mill River back in 1994. He and his son both purchased an oyster license and participated in a 30-day apprenticeship program where they each fished with another oyster fisher and learned the ropes of the job. Clifford was very anxious to hit the water on his own terms, and ever since he has enjoyed every day of being on the water and the freedom and independence it offers. Clifford fishes in Bedeque Bay, Wilmont, Mill River, Cascumpec and other public fishing grounds. He has enjoyed many steady, consistent years as an oyster fisher and looks forward to many more.
Soon after entering the fishery, he was asked to participate with the PEI Shellfish Association and the Prince County Shellfish Association. For 10 years, he was the Secretary/Treasurer of the Prince County Shellfish Association and for the past three years he has been the President of the PEI Shellfish Association. During his time in both roles, he has focused on getting members and directors more involved with the organizations and to open the lines of communication between all industry stakeholders.
Clifford also initiated the creation of the PEI Oyster Commodity Group a few years ago. This is one of many efforts to raise money for enhancement of the wild oyster fishery.
Other projects Clifford has been involved with as President of the PEI Shellfish Association is aggressively pushing for more landing sites and trailer parks for fishers and lobbying to improve water quality for shellfish. He has supported numerous research projects which have been implemented with the Atlantic Veterinary College on the health and enhancement of the oyster industry. The association has developed a website to improve communication among all stakeholders. Clifford works with and communicates directly with individual fishers on their fishing activities and enhancement efforts.
Clifford has also volunteered many hours throughout both of his careers to many community organizations and events including chair of the board for the Town of Tignish, chair of the board for the Tignish Health Center and chair of the Western School Board. He has served on the Western Hospital Board and with various other groups.
Earlier this year, Clifford was recognized for his dedication to the oyster industry at the PEI Shellfish Association’s Annual General Meeting.
Clifford feels the industry is at a crossroads right now. To move forward and to preserve the industry, he believes every Islander has to become passionate about water quality and become educated about keeping our waters healthy. Clifford also feels that more resources should be allocated to enhancement activities in the future. Enhancement has been very successful to date, but he says it needs more financial and human resources to ensure there will be a fishery in the years to come.
Bill Murley:
Bill Murley purchased his first oyster lease in the early 1980s and has been a very active oyster and quahaug fisher ever since. He was born in Charlottetown and settled with his wife Freda in New Haven where they have happily resided for the past 44 years and raised their son Randy.
Like Clifford, Bill hasn’t always been an oyster fisher. His first career was as a store manager for twenty years before making a career change to oyster fishing. Bill’s brother-in-law introduced him to the possibility of owning his own oyster lease on the West River.
Ever since entering the industry, Bill has been very dedicated to enhancement activities and is passionate about working with other fishers on new ideas to ensure the future of oyster stocks. He immediately became involved with the Oystermen’s Association and since then he has contributed many years of service to various industry organizations including past president and current vice-president of the PEI Shellfish Association, vice- president of the Queens County Shellfish Association and a member of the PEI Council of Professional Fish Harvesters and the PEI Atlantic Shrimp Corporation.
Bill also experimented with mussel culture for three years in the early 1990s in East River. He also fishes for smelts when he can and his other interests include carpentry, mechanics, and gardening.
He is very intrigued by the many aspects of the shellfish industry, and likes to meet other fishers and discuss current issues. Bill says the serenity of the water is what keeps bringing him back. He thoroughly enjoys working hard and knowing that his efforts are his own. When he is out on the water, he is doing what he loves the most.
He says that fishers, government and all stakeholders need to work together now more than ever to ensure the future of the shellfish industry. Fishers need to practice enhancement and take care of their own industry first and foremost. He believes the industry can be sustained if protection and conservation of wild stocks becomes a priority for everyone.