November 15, 2014 - Terrace, British Columbia
On behalf of the Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, Mel Kotyk, Area Director – North Coast, presented Tom Protheroe with a 2014 National Recreational Fisheries Award on November 15, 2014.
For over 40 years, Mr. Protheroe has volunteered countless hours to represent both saltwater and freshwater anglers and the fish species they pursue. He has lent his considerable talents to many organizations in British Columbia including the Sport Fishing Advisory Board (SFAB) where he has served in various roles since the early 1980s.
He was also an instrumental member of the B.C. Wildlife Federation through the 1980s. He represented B.C. resident anglers on the provincial Ministry of the Environment’s Quality Waters review process (1999-2009) and helped deliver the Ministry’s quality waters strategy. He was a founding member of the Steelhead Society of B.C. and has served as a director with the B.C. Federation of Drift Fishers.
As an original member of the regional Fisheries and Oceans Canada/SFAB Visions working group, Tom played a key role in establishing a recreational fisheries vision for B.C. His recent appointment to the Northern Panel of the Pacific Salmon Commission and also his membership in the Northern Endowment Fund speaks to his abilities to look broadly across all fisheries, harvesting sectors and watersheds to find collaborative solutions to managing fisheries in a sustainable manner and within regulatory frameworks. The expertise he brings to the table will benefit Canadians for years to come.
His untiring and unwavering commitment to recreational fisheries makes him a deserving recipient of a National Recreational Fisheries Award. To sum up Mr. Protheroe, volunteering is his life, and fisheries, his passion.
The Honourable Gail Shea
Minister of Fisheries and Oceans
Tom Protheroe
Recipient of the 2014 National Recreational Fisheries Award
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Contacts
Leri Davies
Strategic Media Relations Advisor
Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Pacific Region,
Tel: (604) 666-8675
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