Brantford, Ontario - Today, Phil McColeman, Member of Parliament for Brant, on behalf of the Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, presented a 2015 National Recreational Fisheries Award to Mr. Rod Jones.
Mr. Jones is a long-time volunteer whose dedicated efforts have contributed to the Lake Huron-Bruce County area’s fish habitat and sustainable recreational fishing. He is one of the founding members of the Ontario Steelheaders, a non‑profit organization in its fourth decade with which he has been involved for over 30 years.
During his tenure, Mr. Jones helped implement several improvements affecting the fish habitat and watershed in and around the Saugeen River basin. He was instrumental to the success of many local projects, including adult rainbow trout transfers, egg collections, stream rehabilitation and fish stocking. Because of his leadership, the Saugeen’s rainbow trout population has grown exponentially from 1,500 returning migratory steelheads to over 30,000. In short, his long-standing commitment has made him the area’s “go‑to person.”
Mr. Jones has also engaged with youth members with similar goals and passion to sustain projects that will help ensure a sustainable rainbow trout fishery well into the future. In addition, his recruitment efforts have helped build the Ontario Steelheaders’ membership to over 200 people.
Phil McColeman, Member of Parliament for Brant
Rod Jones, 2015 National Recreational Fisheries Award recipient
Karl Redin, President of Ontario Steelheaders
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Contacts
Kevin Hill
Acting Regional Director of Communications
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
204‑983‑3776
Dennis Burnside
Legislative Assistant for
Member of Parliament Phil McColeman
613‑992‑3118
NR-CA-15-17E
