Gulf of Maine Council Annual Awards Ceremony

AGRICULTURE/FISHERIES--Gulf of Maine Council Annual Awards Ceremony

Several worthy Nova Scotians were honoured for their commitment to protecting the Gulf of Maine body of water and ecosystem at a ceremony today, Feb. 26.

The Gulf of Maine Council Awards were presented by Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Ernest Fage and MLA Bill Dooks, on behalf of Environment and Labour Minister David Morse, in Truro.

"These awards and their recipients represent innovation, creativity, and impressive commitment to the preservation of marine environments and ecosystems," said Mr. Fage. "It's an honour to meet the award recipients and learn more about their work."

The two Gulf of Maine Council Visionary Awards are presented to those most responsible for preserving, managing and protecting 4,200 hectares of unique coastal land in the Cape Chignecto area as a park and local heritage property. The Individual Award was presented posthumously to Walton Rector, Advocate Harbour, Cumberland Co., in recognition of his leadership, co-operative spirit and dedication to the Cape Chignecto project. His wife Yula and daughter, Judith Swindell, will accept the award in his memory. The Cape Chignecto Park management committee will receive the Group Award for facilitating this co-operative community initiative and for creating a better economic future for the community through sustainable management of the ecosystem.

The three other award winners are Arthur Bull (Gulf of Maine Art Longard Award), Digby County; Blomidon Naturalists Society (Bay of Fundy Environmental Awareness Award) and Horticulture Nova Scotia (Bay of Fundy Business Partnership Award).

Horticulture Nova Scotia received their award for addressing long-term water issues in the Annapolis Valley with long-term solutions. The Blomidon group was recognised for their efforts since 1974 helping to promote an understanding and appreciation of nature.

The Gulf of Maine Council on the Marine Environment was established in 1989 by the governments of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine to foster co- operation in the Gulf of Maine watershed. The council's mission is to maintain and enhance environmental quality in the gulf and to ensure that existing and future generations use the resource sustainably.