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Past Recipients - T.B. "Happy" Fraser Award

“Alan’s contribution to securing a positive future for wild Atlantic salmon spans decades,” says ASF President Bill Taylor. “As the long-serving Minister of Natural Resources in New Brunswick, Alan was instrumental in establishing the provincial Wildlife Trust Fund, and as a private citizen he has been a leader of ASF, recently ending a seven-year term as chair of our Canadian board.”

As a volunteer leader and director, Graham advised ASF on the current Greenland Salmon Conservation Agreement and the ongoing effort to eradicate invasive smallmouth bass from the Miramichi watershed. He has also been a strong voice in support of ASF’s regional programs throughout Atlantic Canada, Quebec, and Maine.
Parks Canada received the award for their fast and accurate action in response to a May 27, 2018 landslide that blocked the Cheticamp River in Cape Breton. It threatened the loss of the entire year’s salmon return to spawning areas. Within a few hours of the landslide, the Park Superintendent had called together experts in both land stabilization and Atlantic salmon to confront the urgent matter. Within 10 days they had the barrier removed, land stabiliization in place, and the Atlantic salmon run could take place.
Eric Stevenson is a gifted financier and has helped ASF gain support for a multitude of important programs. For several years he has played an important role overseeing the research programs of ASF, and his advice has helped expand this pioneering program to better understand the sources of mortality for wild Atlantic salmon and to further the tracking work to Greenland.
The Fundy Baykeeper program, and Matthew Abbott in particular, are playing an important role in monitoring the aquaculture industry in southwest New Brunswick. Their work has included the impacts of illegal pesticides, looking for escape events, documenting other aspects including benthic detritus, sea lice and the effect on traditional fisheries and tourism industries. The organization has also played an important role in seeing the reopening of St. Croix River fishways to native migratory species including alewives.
Michael Meighen, C.M., Q.C, first joined ASF in 1993 as a Director, and has served as Chairman of ASF (Canada) since 2004. He helped to form the Meighen-Molson Professorship in Atlantic Salmon Research which led to the establishment of the highly regarded Canadian Rivers Institute at the University of New Brunswick, dedicated to aquatic science.

Meighen is a passionate salmon angler, conservationist and philanthropist who has worked tirelessly on behalf of wild Atlantic salmon.

On December 26, 2014, Governor General David Johnston named Meighen to the Order of Canada. He was named a Member of the Order, for his contributions to public life as a lawyer, politician (he served in the Senate from 1990 to 2012) and philanthropist.

Meighen is the son of lawyer and philanthropist Theodore Meighen and philanthropist Peggy deLancey Robinson, and the grandson of former Prime Minister of Canada Arthur Meighen.
A leader in promoting and practicing live-release angling, Jim Lawley’s camp on the Bonaventure River in Quebec was one of the first to be recognized by ASF’s Live Release Camp Recognition Program. As a driving force behind the Halifax Dinner of ASF and the Nova Scotia Salmon Association, he has helped raise more than $1 Million to support pioneering efforts such as the lime doser acid-rain mitigation program on West River-Sheet Harbour, the first of its kind in North America. He also developed a golf tournament that provided more funding for this project.

Jim Lawley has been a leader in ASF’s CleanUpSalmonFarming campaign in Nova Scotia that has successfully focused attention on the risks posed for wild Atlantic salmon by open net-pen aquaculture operations in the province.

His personal enthusiasm for keeping Atlantic salmon rivers healthy is contagious, and an inspiration for all who wish to preserve the health of future salmon runs.
Mark Hambrook has made a lifelong commitment to restoring the Miramichi River’s Atlantic salmon runs. Originally manager of the Miramichi Salmonid Enhancement Centre in South Esk, Mark Hambrook recognized the importance of anglers in achieving salmon conservation. When the federal government announced the closure of the Salmonid Enhancement Centre in 1997, he led an effort for the Miramichi Salmon Association to take ownership of the facility in 2000.

Since then, he has been a leader in the development of a Miramichi Watershed Management Committee and in developing many programs to better understand this watershed that has one of the greatest salmon runs in the world. He has been President of the New Brunswick Salmon Council, and under his guidance, the staff of the Miramichi Salmonid Centre has become an important partner of ASF in undertaking mortality at sea research as it impacts the Miramichi.
Don Hustins has been a leader in preserving natural landscapes in Newfoundland. While he was Newfoundland’s Director of Parks and Natural Areas, two of the province’s waterways were designated as heritage rivers, and he also was instrumental in establishing the Torngat Mountain National Park in Labrador.

He also helped establish Newfoundland’s River Classification System and introduce barbless hooks on all scheduled salmon rivers. He was a leader in increasing anti-poaching efforts. As a founding member of the Salmonid Association of Eastern Newfoundland, he set up the first community-based Atlantic salmon enhancement program in Canada. He has also shown leadership in working with Aboriginal groups in salmon conservation projects designed to replace traditional gill nets with trap nets that allow large fish to be released unharmed. As a director of the Atlantic Salmon Federation, his energy and advice were invaluable.
Yvon Côté led the way in Québec for the creation of a federally and provincially funded "Salmon Economic Development Program", which provides funds to facilitate development and conservation initiatives in the province’s rivers.

His knowledge of Atlantic salmon issues and biology is extensive, and for more than 20 years, he held various positions within the Québec Ministry of Natural Resources and Wildlife. During his tenure, he completed many field research projects and was the chief Atlantic salmon biologist until he retired from the public service in 1996.

He has served as President of the Fédération québécoise pour le saumon Atlantique (FQSA) since 2000, always bringing a "problem solving" attitude to Atlantic salmon issues, and encouraging all to work together in Atlantic salmon conservation.
Recognizing that the wild Atlantic salmon resource on Quebec’s Cacapedia River was in decline, Chief Guy Condo surveyed band members to gauge their willingness to suspend their right to a subsistence fishery over a four-year period in exchange for job creation and economic development.

With the overwhelming support of his band members, Chief Condo negotiated with local camp owners and the Quebec government a gill net fishery suspension.

This began in 2009 and is allowing many more salmon to reach the river’s spawning areas. This is extremely important to the culture and economy of Quebec and to the rest of Canada.

This suspension, achieved thanks to the efforts of Chief Condo, combined with a voluntary live release rate of more than 90% by anglers, will ensure the future health of the river and serves as a role model to be emulated on other Atlantic salmon rivers throughout eastern Canada. Guy Condo died on 5 Feb. 2016.
Charles A. Langlois spent more than 25 years conserving wild Atlantic salmon. The Moisie, Québec’s largest river, and its salmon have benefited from his leadership and commitment.

An Association de protection de la Rivière Moisie founding member, he fought to keep the river free of unnecessary hydro development. In 2003, the Moisie became an aquatic reserve. This prohibits hydro, mining, and forestry development, recognizes it as one of the last wild, open rivers of Côte-Nord, and further protects wild salmon.

Mr. Langlois manages the Moisie-Nippissis Camp, one of the first acknowledged through ASF’s Live Release Rewards and Recognition program. He promotes total live release. A Member of Canada’s Parliament from 1988 - 1993, Charles helped buy back Québec’s North Shore commercial salmon fishing licenses and worked to deter poaching in the lower Moisie.

Charles is a member of ASF’s (Canada) Board of Directors, Moisie River Watershed Management Group, Sept Îles Port Authority, and has been a director of Fédération Québécoise pour le saumon atlantique, ASF’s regional council in Québec, since 1984.
Carl Purcell is an active member of several Nova Scotia river associations and is admired for his communications skills and strong leadership. Carl Purcell began working on behalf of wild Atlantic salmon in the 1970s and is currently serving a second term as President of the Nova Scotia Salmon Association.

His initial interest was Nova Scotia’s wild salmon, but over the years he has broadened his conservation and protection efforts to include the Atlantic salmon’s entire range.

Carl has also helped form river specific conservation organizations to address problems that are unique to the rivers they represent. As a result of his efforts, community groups remain interested and active and much enhancement work is conducted on streams throughout Nova Scotia.

In 2008, Carl received the National Recreational Fisheries Award from Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO). This award honours individuals and organizations for their contribution to the conservation, restoration, and enhancement of Canada’s recreational fisheries and their habitat.
George Ferguson has contributed to wild Atlantic salmon conservation since 1988. One of the original founders and directors of the Sackville River Association, he played a major role in cleaning up and restoring salmon to the badly-polluted Sackville River and helped ensure the installation of a counting fence to monitor its salmon population.

George took on acid rain, which has devastated salmon populations in 50 Nova Scotia rivers. He organized a group of anglers, conservationists, government agencies and the power corporation to import techology that had been used successfully to revitalize acid-damaged rivers in Norway. A Norwegian-built lime doser now automatically dispenses lime into West River, Sheet Harbour lowering the water’s acidity level. This doser was a first for North America. George has volunteered countless hours of work to this acid rain mitigation project.

Mr. Ferguson also served as President of the Nova Scotia Salmon Association (NSSA) from 2001-2004 and was the first chair of the Nova Scotia River Watch Program.

He has been recognized for his contributions with the NSSA's David Symonds' Award, the Nova Scotia Lieutenant-Governor's Award for conservation, and, in 2008, the National Recreational Fisheries Award.
Pierre Tremblay helped convince government to eliminate pressure on declining salmon populations by buying out Québec's commercial salmon fishery in the late 1990s, and was instrumental in developing a salmon enhancement plan for Québec between 1992 and 1996. One of Québec's first practitioners of live release angling, he conscientiously promotes the practice to anglers in Québec and beyond as an important contribution to salmon conservation.

For the past 15 years, Pierre has been a Director of the Fédération Québécoise pour le Saumon Atlantique (FQSA), and has served many terms as Secretary. FQSA is a Regional Council of ASF, representing Québec. Pierre joined ASF in the early 1990s, became a member of the ASF (Canada) Board of Directors in 1995 and Vice-Chairman in 1998, a role he continues today.

From 2001 to 2005, Mr. Tremblay served as a Commissioner and Chairman to the North American Commission of the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organization (NASCO). He was appointed by the Government of Canada to work with other North Atlantic governments on cooperative, international conservation programs to save wild Atlantic salmon.
John E. Houghton has had a long commitment to wild Atlantic salmon conservation and has spent many years actively working to restore threatened wild Atlantic salmon populations to their natural range in the lakes, rivers and streams throughout Quebec, Canada’s Atlantic provinces, and the New England states.

John’s engineering and senior management skills were put to good use as he served on ASF’s Board of Directors and then as Chairman of the Atlantic Salmon Federation (ASF) Canada. In these roles, he was very successful in making ASF the premier Atlantic salmon conservation organization a stronger and more effective organization.

John also served on the board of the Québec-Labrador Foundation (Canada), Inc. since 1985 and as Chairman of that Board for many of those years.

Before retiring in 1993, John had been Chairman of the Québec Ontario Paper Company for 25 years.
Vince Swazey was conserving wild Atlantic salmon in the early 1950s, long before he had heard the word conservation or knew what it meant.

Vince was guiding by the time he was nine and through the years, anglers taught him a great deal, which he, in turn, shared with others.

Vince promotes catch and release angling at the family’s Tuck-A-Way Lodge in Boiestown, where guests use single and barbless hooks and always release angled salmon. Realizing the environmental importance of sound forestry management, Vince works to ensure the health of the forest within the Miramichi watershed.

Vince has a strong presence on both the Gaspé and the Miramichi. A life member of the Miramichi Salmon Association (MSA), he served as a director for 26 years before becoming Chairman. In 2000, Vince received the prestigious “Champions of Conservation Award”, MSA’s highest form of recognition.

Mr. Swazey is also a trustee of the Miramichi Salmon Museum and an officer of the Outfitters Guild of New Brunswick.
James B. Gillespie has been actively involved in wild Atlantic salmon conservation at the local, provincial, and international levels for decades.

At the local level, Mr. Gillespie served as President of the Hammond River Angling Association and brought his fundraising expertise to the organization. This culminated in the building of a conservation centre, which is the focal point of many activities, including educational programs that involve both youth and adults in outdoor pursuits.

Provincially he served as Chairman of the New Brunswick Salmon Council and the New Brunswick Wildlife Council, where he was a strong advocate for fish and a clean environment. At the international level he was a Canadian Commissioner to the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organization (NASCO) for three years.

Jim was instrumental in forming the New Brunswick Wildlife Council and served as its first Chair. He helped implement New Brunswick's conservation license plate, funds from which support conservation projects throughout the province. He developed and implemented a special live release incentive program that encouraged anglers to return all issued tags unused and rewarded those who did with a draw for a substantial prize.

Jim serves on ASF's Board of Directors and on the International and Government Affairs and the Nominating Committees.In 1998, Mr. Gillespie received the Canadian Recreational Fisheries Award, recognizing his achievements in protecting and enhancing recreational fisheries and fisheries habitat, and the Ruffed Grouse Society of Canada's Famous Grouse Conservation Award for all of his conservation efforts.
Robert Baker became involved with conserving wild Atlantic salmon in 1966 after he hooked his first salmon on the Nepisiguit River in New Brunswick. In 1976, he helped found and became president of the Nepisiguit Salmon Association (NSA). As NSA's president, he was the driving force for implementing a highly successful enhancement program on the Nepisiguit River, where wild Atlantic salmon stocks had been teetering on the brink of extinction.

Through Mr. Baker's efforts, NSA raised and invested more than $2,000,000 in the river's restoration over a 20-year period. As a result, the Nepisiguit, once nearly void of salmon, now supports a viable number of spawning salmon and very good angling.

A great believer in community watershed management, Mr. Baker encouraged other groups and individuals, including the Pabineau First Nation and the local mining company, to become involved in restoring and enhancing the river. The NSA also expanded its efforts to restoring and enhancing other nearby rivers.

Mr. Baker and the NSA have been recognized with a number of awards, including the Lou Duffley Award for salmon conservation efforts in New Brunswick, ASF's Affiliate of the Year Award, an inaugural National Recreational Fisheries Award, and in 2002 they received the first Northeastern N.B. "Eco" Award for contributing to the ecological health of the region.
Donal C. O'Brien's leadership helped position ASF as the leading wild Atlantic salmon advocate from local watersheds to the international arena. Before becoming Chairman of ASF (U.S.) in 1993, Mr. O'Brien had long been involved in protecting the environment and conserving natural resources.

Under his leadership, ASF helped develop an international blueprint for saving wild salmon, began conducting leading-edge ocean and river research, and reached a Conservation Agreement with Greenland's commercial salmon fishermen that suspended that fishery.Mr. O'Brien was elected to the ASF (U.S.) Board of Directors in 1979 and ASF (Canada) in 1992. He served as Chairman of ASF's Nominating, Development, and Executive Committees and Vice-Chairman of the Management Board, where he helped integrate ASF's efforts with those of its seven Regional Councils and 150 River Affiliates.

Mr. O'Brien initiated the decision to merge the Management Board with ASF (Canada) and ASF (U.S.) and to hold joint Board meetings of the two organizations.Mr. O'Brien served as Commissioner of the Connecticut Board of Fisheries and Game. He also served on the Connecticut Council on Environmental Quality over a 35-year period by appointment of four Governors, serving his last two terms as Chairman.

Mr. O'Brien also gave the National Audubon Society 25 years of service, most of which was as Chairman. Formerly, he was Vice-Chairman of the Board of Governors of The Nature Conservancy, President of the International Council for Bird Preservation and Chairman of the American Bird Conservancy. He is Chairman Emeritus of the Quebec-Labrador Foundation.
Dr. John Anderson has had a long association with Atlantic salmon research and conservation and with the Atlantic Salmon Federation. John Anderson was instrumental in the ASF choosing St. Andrews as headquarters while he was serving as Director of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) Biological Station in St. Andrews.

Before becoming Director of DFO's Biological Station in St. Andrews, Dr. Anderson taught at Carleton University and the University of New Brunswick, to which he later returned as President. As well, he was Director-General in charge of Research and Development for DFO in Ottawa and served on numerous fisheries research and scientific committees. After ASF relocated its headquarters to St. Andrews, Dr. Anderson became so interested in ASF's research that he eventually joined the research team and became Vice President of Operations and Chief Scientific Advisor to the President. In this position, he was responsible for all research and scientific programs at ASF. John officially retired from ASF in 1996, but subsequently led a number of projects and served as a Scientific Advisor on research. John Anderson also has the ability to focus the attention of others on the need for Atlantic salmon research, restoration and education.
As the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans between 1984 and 1986, John Fraser developed and executed many strong conservation policies to benefit wild Atlantic salmon, including a permanent buy-out of the Maritime commercial fishery which killed tens of thousands of salmon annually. He faced stiff opposition from both a powerful commercial lobby and from within government in his effort to implement conservation-based fisheries policies. John Fraser's leadership in eliminating the Maritime commercial fishery was the first important step toward easing the over exploitation of wild Atlantic salmon in Canada.

John Fraser has been Canada's Ambassador of the Environment and Chairman of the Pacific Fisheries Resource Conservation Council. Many of the issues facing Pacific salmon are the same as those facing wild Atlantic salmon. Mr. Fraser has served on many conservation and environmental boards.
Katharine Mott learned her respect for nature from her father, pursuing angling and outdoors adventure in northern New Brunswick.

Later, serving as President of the Nova Scotia Salmon Association (NSSA), Katharine devoted her attention to acid rain problems, fish restoration projects, and working cooperatively with aboriginal people to conserve Atlantic salmon. She initiated the successful NSSA Scholarship program. Katharine played a lead role in developing Nova Scotia's Adopt-a-Stream manual and the River Watch program and curriculum.

Katharine Mott has been a member and Vice-Chair of the ASF (Canada) Board of Directors and served on various board committees over 15 years of dedicated service. She designed Partners in Conservation, a co-operative program between ASF and Aboriginal people, and served as the first chair of the coordinating committee. Katharine also assisted in the development of ASF's Fish Friends, an educational program for elementary school children.
Richard Adams was a legendary figure who had an extraordinary relationship with Atlantic salmon for more than 60 years and was the epitome of what every salmon guide should be. His decades of guiding on the Matapedia River in Quebec taught him to think like the "king of fish". He knew where their favourite pools were and what to do to make them rise to the fly.

Richard, even in his 90s, was a highly sought-after guide. His knowledge of the Atlantic salmon, combined with his charm, commitment and endless patience, compelled anglers from all over the world to seek his services. He guided salmon angling enthusiasts from all walks of life, including heads of state, corporation presidents and famous actors. President Jimmy Carter referred to Richard as one of the "wisest outdoorsmen" he has known.

Through his years on the river, Richard developed a deep respect for the Atlantic salmon and he instilled this respect, along with his strong conservation ethic, to all of his guests. The changes he witnessed over the years made Richard very concerned about the salmon's future survival and, for this reason, he taught his clients how to find, play, and most importantly, how to safely release the Atlantic salmon. Richard Adams died in March 2006.
joan Wulff has had a long and distinguished career in sport fishing and a commitment to conserving wild Atlantic salmon. Through promotion of measures such as catch and release, she has helped the recreational fishery to be recognized as an environmentally-sustainable industry.

From 1937 to 1960, Mrs. Wulff won numerous International and National tournament titles. In 1951, she captured the Fisherman's Distance event while vying against an all-male line-up. Joan cast a fly a distance of 161 feet in one competition. Joan is the co-founder and chief instructor of the Wulff School of Fly Fishing in Lew Beach, N.Y. She has appeared in many fishing films and authored Joan Wulff's Fly Casting Techniques; Fly Fishing: Expert Advice from a Woman's Perspective and Fly Casting Accuracy.

Joan is an active member of the Outdoor Writers Association of America, writes a casting column for Fly Rod and Reel Magazine, and has contributed articles for the Atlantic Salmon Journal. She is also a founding member and Vice President of the Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum and a director of ASF (U.S.). Joan has been honoured by the fishing tackle industry for her promotion of the sport of angling and by ASF and the Federation of Fly Fishers for her conservation efforts.
Wilfred (Wilf) Carter received the first Lee Wulff Award in 1987 and the Happy Fraser Award in 1996. He showed an unfaltering commitment to the cause of conserving Atlantic salmon populations for five decades.

In 1968, Dr. Carter became the first Executive Director of the newly formed International Atlantic Salmon Foundation (IASF). When the IASF merged with the Atlantic Salmon Association (ASA) in 1982 to establish the Atlantic Salmon Federation (ASF), he became the new organization's first President. He served in this capacity until he retired in 1989 and was appointed President Emeritus. He was appointed a Commissioner of the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organization (NASCO) in 1984 and served until 1998.

Dr. Carter received many tributes for his years of conservation work, including honourary doctorates from the University of New Brunswick and Mount Allison University. He was appointed to the Order of Canada in 1993. He was also a director of Atlantic Salmon Trust (U.K.), the Association Internationale de Defense du Saumon Atlantique (France), a director and fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society, a former chairman of the Fisheries Development Board for New Brunswick, a founding member of the Atlantic Salmon Advisory Board and the first chairman of Fisheries and Oceans National Recreational Fisheries Awards Committee. Dr. Carter was actively involved in Atlantic salmon conservation issues until his death in 2009.
Michael Huband became interested in fly fishing when he was 12 and he became hooked on Atlantic salmon angling at 16. While observing other anglers, Michael developed a keen interest in the salmon's habits and an understanding and a true appreciation of fly fishing techniques. This interest and respect for Salmo salar led Michael to believe that he should give something back to the fish that had given him so much pleasure, and he found a very productive outlet for his salmon knowledge and his literary skills in the Atlantic Salmon Association's Atlantic Salmon Journal. As well as contributing articles, Michael also helped improve the Journal's design, content, and production procedures.

Michael has served as an ASA Director and on its Executive Committee. When the International Atlantic Salmon Foundation and the Atlantic Salmon Association merged to form the Atlantic Salmon Federation in 1982, he was elected as a member of ASF's Management Board. He has also served as Chairman of ASF's Publications Committee and Chairman of the ASF (Canada) Finance Committee. Michael Huband's advice and stewardship as a Director and as Treasurer of ASF (Canada) have been instrumental in the success of ASF's conservation programs.
The Honourable John C. Crosbie, P.C., Q.C., served the people of Newfoundland and Canada for 28 years at the municipal, provincial, and federal levels of government. Mr. Crosbie became Minister of Fisheries and Oceans in 1991. He took this post very seriously and, in 1992, launched a buy-back of commercial Atlantic salmon licenses in Newfoundland and Labrador and imposed a moratorium on the Newfoundland commercial fishery; both bold and politically-courageous actions. In 1998, the seventh anniversary of the moratorium, only 100 fishermen in Newfoundland and 200 in Labrador held commercial licenses.

Mr. Crosbie also initiated an education and public awareness program (EPAP) to inform Atlantic Canadians of the importance of the recreational fishing industry's role in conserving fish and a Federal-Provincial Conservation and Enhancement Agreement for each Atlantic province to improve the health of wild Atlantic salmon populations. The Atlantic Salmon Federation implemented EPAP, a 5.7 million dollar program funded by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), in cooperation with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.

One of the most successful components of EPAP was the "Fish Friends" program which ASF and its regional councils continue to deliver. "Fish Friends" educates elementary students throughout the salmon's range. It is an enduring tribute to John Crosbie's commitment to conservation.

John Crosbie died 10 Jan. 2020
The Venerable Robert A. Bryan, Archdeacon of the North Shore (Québec) and founder of the Québec Labrador Foundation, is blessed with high energy, unique insight, and the ability to persuasively articulate his thoughts and beliefs. These gifts, combined with Bob's dedication to a clean environment and ardent interest in the Atlantic salmon, have greatly boosted salmon conservation in Canada.

In 1960, Bob Bryan became the first aviator-clergyman in Eastern Canada when he was assigned by the Anglican Church of Canada to serve a vast area in Québec from Baie Comeau to Blanc Sablon and north to Schefferville. His home base became Harrington Harbour, 250 miles east of Sept-Îles. Since that time, he has logged thousands of hours of flying time, both serving his parishioners and encouraging conservation and wise Atlantic salmon management in the area he serves.

Bob helped local fishermen in the isolated villages of the North Shore to understand the fragility of the Atlantic salmon resource. He persuaded many families whose livelihoods depended upon salmon netting at the mouths of the rivers to consider the benefits of building an Atlantic salmon sportfishery, employing local inhabitants as guides and outfitters. Bob's dedication to preserving our natural resources has helped sustain the fragile Atlantic salmon resource.
Thomas W. Humphrey became involved in organized conservation in 1985, when he was elected to the Board of Directors of Western Newfoundland's Salmon Preservation Association (SPAWN). In 1988, he became President and commissioned several reports highlighting the economic value of the recreational fishery and the need for community watershed management.

In 1989, he was elected as the founding President of the Salmonid Council of Newfoundland and Labrador ( SCNL ). Under his leadership, SCNL became an influential conservation group and one of the leaders in the campaign leading to the closure of the commercial salmon fishery in 1992. This was hailed by many North Americans as the greatest conservation gain for salmon in history. From 1992 - 1996, Tom served as industry advisory chair to a Federal/Provincial $21 million cooperation agreement for the enhancement of salmon and on the Premiers Round Table on the environment from 1990 - 1993. In 1997, he was elected to Chair Newfoundland's first Advisory Council on inland fish and wildlife. He is also the Province's representative on the National Recreational Fisheries Awards committee. In 1998, Tom was appointed to the ASF (Canada) Board of Directors. Tom has received many awards, including Canada's National Recreational Fisheries Award and the Newfoundland and Labrador Environment Award.
Dr. Larry Felt is a longtime supporter of salmon conservation. His involvement with the local Salmonid Association of Eastern Newfoundland, the Salmonid Council of Newfoundland & Labrador, the Atlantic Salmon Management Board and other groups have made a profound difference to the status of salmon stocks in Newfoundland.

Larry served as a spokesman for recreational fishing groups and a technical advisor for the Salmonid Council of Newfoundland and Labrador and played a key role in negotiating with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, unions, and government officials in both private and public forums.

A member of the Salmonid Association of Eastern Newfoundland for more than 10 years, Dr. Felt served as the association's President for four years and was a member of the Canadian government's Atlantic Salmon Advisory Board.

In the early 1980s he worked for the merger of ASA and IASF which created the Atlantic Salmon Federation and served on the first Management Board.
Lou Duffley is a dedicated and tireless volunteer, an active and wellspoken proponent of salmon conservation and enhancement and a true diplomat. He is the epitome of the conservation angler - a gentleman, unfailingly pleasant, considerate and always wise. He has been given the title of "Mr. Everything" by salmon conservationists in New Brunswick.

In 1978, Lou became a founder and the first president of the Hammond River Angling Association. In 1981, he became the chairman of the Save Our Salmon (SOS) Committee. Recognizing the need for local groups to be affiliated with national and international salmon conservation organizations, Lou's committee formed a New Brunswick provincial council affiliated with the Atlantic Salmon Federation. He became its first president in 1983.

Lou has served on ASF's Management Board and Awards Committee, co-chaired ASF's Conclave 86, and chaired ASF's Partners-in-Conservation committee. He served as president, director, treasurer and secretary of the N.B. Salmon Council (NBSC) and the Council's salmon conservation award is known as the "Lou Duffley Atlantic Salmon Conservation Award". In 1996, Lou received Canada's Recreational Fisheries Award in recognition of an outstanding contribution to the conservation and enhancement of recreational fisheries.
Lucien Rolland joined the Atlantic Salmon Association in 1979 and was soon appointed a Director. In 1981 he became President and was a leader in the unification process which merged the Atlantic Salmon Association (ASA) and the International Atlantic Salmon Foundation (IASF) into the Atlantic Salmon Federation (ASF) in 1982.

Mr. Rolland then became the first Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of ASF (Canada), and a director of ASF (U.S.) and served in these capacities until 1998. He was also elected as the first Chairman of the ASF Management Board where his persuasive diplomatic skills played a key role in the early years of the new organization.

During his tenure, ASF's profile and involvement in Atlantic salmon conservation grew immeasurably and Mr. Rolland's steady influence helped ASF to expand its programs and funding base.

Lucien Rolland's leadership was a constant source of inspiration. His advice allowed ASF to work effectively toward salmon conservation. He always looked to the future with optimism and believed in the potential for development of a healthy sport fishery.
Daniel Doheny, Q.C. was one of the founding directors of the Atlantic Salmon Association. Mr. Doheny was a staunch supporter of salmon conservation. He was a Director of both ASF (U.S.) and ASF (Canada) and was active on both the Executive Committee and Management Board.

Dan Doheny was present when the Atlantic Salmon Association was formed in Montreal in 1948, and soon became a Director, then President. He served as Chairman of the Board from 1973 to 1976. When the IASF was formed in 1968, Dan was appointed a member of the Board of Directors. After the merger of ASA and IASF in 1982, he was appointed to the ASF Management Board.

Dan Doheny was a lawyer by profession but a sportsman and salmon conservationist by choice. During his many years with ASA, IASF and ASF, Dan's sage counsel was always freely available to steer the organizations through choppy waters.
David Lank was the Atlantic Salmon Association's longest serving president. He served from 1973 until 1981. It was through his efforts that the Happy Fraser Award was created.

After ASA and IASF merged into the Atlantic Salmon Federation (ASF), David encouraged other organizations to join ASF's salmon conservation efforts and helped the federation to grow. Today, ASF has a network of more than 150 river organizations in 7 Regional Councils.

Mr. Lank was a member of the Canada-United States Committee of the Chamber of Commerce for 9 years, and was responsible for writing numerous position papers on behalf of his Canadian colleagues on subjects ranging from acid precipitation to the international law of the sea. On November 28, 1996, Mr. Lank was awarded the Order of Canada.

An accomplished writer, Mr. Lank was a regular contributor to the Atlantic Salmon Journal where his unique blend of fantasy and fiction was written under several pseudonyms. He is the author of a number of books on a wide variety of topics including scientific spoofs on the Atlantic salmon. He has also written several hundred articles that have appeared in various magazines and publications.
Warren Gilker showed great initiative and leadership in salmon conservation for many decades. Because of his efforts and those of his friend, Buddy Campbell, a reorganized protection system was set up for the Cascapedia in the late 1950s and early 1960s.

Mr. Gilker also played a leadership role in developing a long-term management plan for the Grand Cascapedia in 1978. He successfully negotiated with the Government of Quebec and the Maria Indian Band for the acceptance of the plan and the creation of the Cascapedia Society at a time when it was thought that Québec's salmon rivers risked being opened to uncontrolled public fishing by the Parti Québecois government.

Mr. Gilker began working on the Grand Cascapedia with the Engelhard family in 1950 and rose to become the manager of their river operations. A long-standing Director of ASF (Canada), he lived on the banks of the Grand Cascapedia his entire life. Inspired by his experiences as a river guide, Warren's classic forged salmon sculptures have become collector's items.
John A. (Buddy) Campbell was born and raised in the valley of the Grand Cascapedia River. His interest in salmon conservation was ignited through business contact with camp owners and sport fishermen on the Grand Cascapedia. His efforts, combined with those of his friend, Warren Gilker, resulted in a reorganized protection system on the Cascapedia in the late 1950s and early 1960s.

Buddy became an Atlantic Salmon Association Director in 1972 and served many years on the ASF (Canada) Board of Directors. Mr. Campbell was one of the founders of the Baie des Chaleurs Salmon Association, an organization representing area workers who gained part of their livelihoods from either the recreational or commercial salmon fisheries. He served as the organization's president for 10 years.

In the late 1970s, the Quebec government's stated intention to open rivers to public fishing caused great anxiety on the Grand Cascapedia, where the fishing camps are the chief source of local employment. Buddy and a group of his associates produced a plan that would allow some public fishing on the river without disturbing the operation of the camps. The government approved the plan and the Cascapedia Societé was established in 1982. It has functioned with considerable success ever since, and has been praised as a model of how salmon rivers ought to be managed.
Mitchell Campbell devoted more than sixty years to the management and conservation of Atlantic salmon on the Moisie River. For 35 years, he managed the activities of the Moisie Salmon Club.

Mitch devoted much of his time to improving spawning conditions on the Moisie and Nipissis Rivers and he was the prime force behind the construction of fish ladders on those rivers which opened hundreds of miles of new salmon range. He also developed the technique of transferring salmon by helicopter and railroad, bypassing obstacles that proved impassable to salmon.

Mr. Campbell helped convince the Iron Ore Company of Canada to carry out an extensive study to determine the impact of run-off from their mining operations on salmon and their spawning grounds, and to take corrective actions to limit damage to salmon from mining activities.

A superb photographer, Mr. Campbell's classic images of leaping salmon capture the majesty of the Atlantic salmon on its homeward journey and reveal the artist's sensitivity and sportsman's passion and wonder for the natural world.
Stephen Herder had been working for The Evening Telegram in St. John's Newfoundland for 25 years before becoming its publisher and general manager in 1970. Recognizing the importance of Atlantic salmon in Newfoundland's economy, and the need for salmon conservation, the paper began publishing some hard-hitting editorials and columns on salmon issues.

Many of these articles took a stand that was contrary to public opinion, which demanded increases in commercial quotas and extensions of fishing seasons instead of protection and conservation. The Evening Telegraph supported cutbacks in the commercial fishery, chastised provincial politicians for speaking against commercial cutbacks and called for heavy fines for illegal fishing as well as a long-term management plan for Atlantic salmon in the province.

Mr. Herder used the power of the press to enlighten and educate Newfoundlanders about conservation issues. Outspoken media support, spearheaded by Stephen, helped to convince government officials and community leaders of the urgency to begin reducing the enormous impact of Newfoundland's commercial fishery on Atlantic salmon.
Jack T. H. Fenety began active participation in Atlantic salmon conservation in 1953, when he became one of the founding members of the Miramichi Salmon Association (MSA). In 1959, he became an MSA Director and in 1961, he became the association's president, a position he held for 35 years. When he retired in 1996, he was appointed President Emeritus. Jack was also a director of the Atlantic Salmon Federation for a lengthy period.

Mr. Fenety represented Atlantic salmon with distinction and eloquence, never missing an opportunity to spread the conservation message. A forceful and knowledgeable speaker, he delivered countless talks on salmon conservation and appeared frequently on radio and television. He also wrote and delivered many thoughtful papers at national and international conferences on conservation and salmon issues. Mr. Fenety was fearless in his denunciation of bureaucratic bungling and mismanagement of Atlantic salmon. His voice and his pen were always ready to support salmon conservation and worthy organizations involved with Atlantic salmon issues in Canada, the United States and Europe.

Jack Fenety received much recognition for his support of Atlantic salmon conservation, including Canada's Recreational Fisheries Award and an honourary doctorate from the University of New Brunswick.
Lee Wulff was one of the world's most renowned salmon anglers. He possessed a desire to improve the art of angling and became an innovator, making many practical changes to angling methods and to fly fishing equipment. He was also an artist, author, and filmmaker.

Lee has been called "The Father of Catch and Release Fishing". He coined the phrase, "A good game fish is too valuable to be caught only once." Living up to this belief, he began releasing salmon in 1933, and he advocated the practice to other anglers as a conservation measure. He began his early salmon conservation work in Newfoundland and was successful in convincing the government to establish a daily limit of eight fish in 1939. His interest and influence on Atlantic salmon conservation issues soon spread throughout North America and overseas. In the late 1960's he produced a film of the Atlantic salmon fishery at Greenland that helped to galvanize public support for measures to control the explosive salmon fishery that had developed.

Lee was a leader of the salmon conservation movement and served for a lengthy period as a Director and Vice President of the Atlantic Salmon Federation. He was also the founder of the Federation of Fly Fishermen and the Theodore Gordon Flyfishers, two of the leading fly fishing organizations in the United States. Mr. Wulff continued his salmon conservation efforts until his death in 1991 at the age of 86.
Francis Goelet was Chairman of the Goelet Corporation of New York. His passion for Atlantic salmon angling began early. As a child he made regular visits to Toad Brook, his family's fishing lodge on the Restigouche River in New Brunswick. He was a member and former president of the Ristigouche Salmon Club. In 1974, Mr. Goelet acquired Tracadie, a fishing lodge on the Grand Cascapedia River in Quebec.

Frank Goelet's love of salmon angling spurred his determination to ensure that future generations had the opportunity to enjoy the Atlantic salmon. In 1968, he founded the International Atlantic Salmon Foundation and was its first President. Later he served as Chairman and Treasurer.

Frank was a modest, private person and kept his activities low-profile, but his impact on the future of Atlantic salmon has been spectacular. He helped fund ASF's first building in St. Andrews, which was dedicated to him as the "Francis Goelet Atlantic Salmon Research Centre" on October 5, 1991.

After retiring as President, Mr. Goelet was elected Chairman of the Board of Directors and Treasurer of ASF (U.S.). Later, he served as Chairman Emeritus until his death in 1998.
Stuart Molson became interested in Atlantic salmon conservation as a founding member of the Atlantic Salmon Association (ASA) in 1948 and served as the association's Secretary-Treasurer from 1949 to 1970. It was through his efforts that the funds were found to establish the association and to launch it as the first salmon conservation organization in Canada. He was elected Honourary Chairman in 1973, a post he held until his death in 1983.

Stuart started fishing in the 1920s and for the rest of his life he looked with great anticipation to the month that he devoted each year to salmon angling on the Godbout River in Québec.

Although Stuart Molson was actively involved in many Atlantic salmon conservation efforts, he preferred to work in the background, keeping his involvement low-profile, while allowing others to receive the credit and publicity he thought they deserved.
Bud Bird is known as a "Man of Action". In 1980, when he was New Brunswick's Minister of Natural Resources, he introduced the first salmon tagging program. While it appeared to be an obvious move, administration and enforcement problems seemed insurmountable and nothing was done until Mr. Bird decided to take action. This program gave authorities control over illegal fishing of salmon for the first time and sharply reduced poaching.

Bud introduced innovative salmon management techniques on New Brunswick rivers, including barrier pools which prevented spawning salmon from entering river areas that exposed them to severe poaching. He encouraged anglers to adopt catch and release fishing methods.

When ASA and IASF began to plan their merger and formation of the Atlantic Salmon Federation, Bud's wise counsel played an important role in facilitating the partnership. He was subsequently elected a Director of both ASF (Canada) and ASF (U.S.).
Captain Fremont Eggers was a retired U. S. Naval officer with a passionate interest in the Atlantic salmon. Fortunately, Captain Eggers was also interested and knowledgeable about photography. Following his retirement from the U. S. Navy, he devoted several years to the production of thousands of feet of 16mm film about the Atlantic salmon, shot on different rivers of the Gaspé and the Québec North Shore.

Monty Eggers was a superb photographer and a perfectionist. He carefully selected the best footage from the thousands of feet in his collection to produce one of the classic Atlantic salmon films: "His Majesty the Atlantic Salmon".

Monty Eggers' great film was shown to thousands of conservationists in Canada and the United States. The exciting images of salmon jumping over seemingly impossible hurdles captivated audiences wherever it was shown, helping to recruit new members to support the salmon conservation cause.
John Mulcahy was an Irish-American businessman who retired to his native Ireland after amassing a fortune from his business endeavours in the United States.

Shocked by the mismanagement and lack of concern for the Atlantic salmon among his countrymen, Mr. Mulcahy set out to do something about it. When a famous pool on the Blackwater River was ravaged by netters, John Mulcahy undertook to buy out the netters rights, allowing thousands of salmon to ascend to spawning grounds up river. When the dreaded "Irish Salmon Disease" threatened to decimate Atlantic salmon in many famed rivers around Waterville, he introduced and paid for the most extensive re-stocking program ever seen in Ireland. When indiscriminate drift netting wrought havoc on returning salmon, John Mulcahy launched a public information campaign to halt the slaughter.

John Mulcahy's initiatives in Ireland resulted in a dramatic upsurge in public interest in the Atlantic salmon.
Joseph F. Cullman's passion for Atlantic salmon fishing on New Brunswick's Restigouche River inspired his involvement as a leader in the conservation movement. Through fishing excursions from his home to Runnymede Lodge on the Restigouche, his appreciation for Atlantic salmon and its habitat grew. His great determination to save the salmon was matched by his generosity and he supported many projects invaluable to the salmon's survival.

The Atlantic Salmon Federation benefited from his vitality and resourcefulness, the same characteristics that made him a leader of industry in the United States. His expertise and support greatly assisted the federation in achieving recognition as the leading Atlantic salmon conservation organization in the world.

In 1972, Joe was elected President of the International Atlantic Salmon Foundation. Later, he served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of ASF (U.S.) and Vice Chairman of the ASF Management Board. In 1993 he was elected Chairman Emeritus. He also served as Chairman of ASF's National Council.

Cullman House, which houses ASF's Administrative offices, is named in honour of Joseph Cullman 3rd, as a small acknowledgement of his immense commitment to Atlantic salmon conservation.
Charles McCormick was the grandson of Irish immigrants who came to Canada in the latter part of the 19th Century. His early years were spent in the Ottawa valley. In 1926, Charlie went to

Anticosti to work for a lumberman and he stayed until his retirement 50 years later.Anticosti Island is a veritable sportsman's paradise, with a number of excellent salmon rivers and a white-tailed deer population exceeding any other location in North America. Charlie was to spend his life managing and protecting those wildlife resources. As a game warden, he patrolled the remote island regularly, and poachers he apprehended ended up before an irate Justice of the Peace - none other than Charlie himself - and they were banished from Anticosti with Charlie escorting them to the departure dock. Most of them wisely never returned. He was often referred to as "King of Anticosti", but there was no pretension about this modest, cheerful man who devoted his life to wildlife conservation.

Proof of the effectiveness of Charlie McCormick's feudal management style is evidenced by the healthy state of Anticosti's fish and game resources.
Dr. Alfred Needler was described as one of Canada's most distinguished marine scientists and the best negotiator this country ever had in international fisheries matters. He led the Canadian delegation at the International Commission for the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries (ICNAF) meetings, held in Rome, in 1972, where international delegates agreed to establish harvesting quotas called TACs (Total Allowable Catches) for a particular species.

Alfred's long and distinguished career in fisheries research began in 1924 when he came to St. Andrews to conduct research at the St. Andrews Biological Station. Later, he became Director of this research facility and also served as Director of the Ellerslie Station in P.E.I. and the Pacific Biological Station in Nanaimo, BC.

Dr. Needler was Deputy Minister of Fisheries for Canada and Chairman of the International Commission for Northwest Atlantic Fisheries during intense negotiations to save the Atlantic salmon on the high seas. On his retirement he became the first Executive Director of the Huntsman Marine Laboratory, now Huntsman Marine Science Centre.

Dr. Needler received honourary doctorates from the University of New Brunswick (1954) and the University of British Columbia (1969) and was made a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada.
John Olin was the first winner of the T. B. "Happy" Fraser Award. Mr. Olin was an inventor, industrialist, conservationist and philanthropist. Throughout his life he was very involved in numerous conservation activities aimed at preserving endangered species in Canada, the United States and Europe. It was largely through his extraordinary efforts that the Atlantic Salmon Association and other salmon organizations were able to identify, monitor and expose the destructive over-exploitation of the high seas Atlantic salmon commercial fishery off Greenland. His timely intervention to alert governments and fisheries authorities to the dangers of the high seas salmon fishery contributed an essential element in the international debate that ultimately led to a phase-out of the West Greenland salmon fishery.

A generous donation by Mr. Olin enabled the Atlantic Salmon Federation to establish the Olin Fellowships, awarded annually since 1974 to individuals aspiring to learn about problems affecting Atlantic salmon. The Olin Fellowships have enabled vital research that is used to guide the management of the Atlantic salmon resource throughout the North Atlantic.
Atlantic Salmon Federation
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