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Provincial Minister's Shellfish Recognition Awards
The Provincial Minister's Shellfish Recognition Awards recognize senior members of the shellfish industry for longstanding contribution to the development and harvest of quality Island shellfish. The awards are presented at the Prince Edward Island International Shellfish Festival each September to individuals for their success and leadership in shellfish harvesting, culture, processing and marketing. Nominations for the awards come from industry organizations, fellow industry members and the general public.
Guidelines and Nomination Form for the 2011 Provincial Minister's Shellfish Recognition Award.
2010 Recipients:
Harold and Ruth Tuplin have been fishing oysters for over 50 years, and continue to be active in the fishery. Harold has been fishing oysters from York Point and Bedeque
since he was 12 years old. Ruth entered the fishery when she and Harold were married in 1960. The Tuplins are strong supporters of the enhancement work being carried out by the Prince Edward Island Shellfish Association.
Triple M Mussels Inc. was established by father and son Clayton and Gordon MacLeod, and were later joined in the operation by Claytons other sons, Garth and Earl. From an initial 17 mussel lines in New London Bay, they expanded to 120 lines in Rustico, French River and SouthWest River with an annual production of more than one million pounds. They have been active promoters of the mussel industry, and developed a number of innovations in mussel harvesting. They are members of the Prince Edward Island Mussel Growers Association.
The efforts of people like the Tuplins and Triple M Mussels have helped immensely in moving the industry forward, said Mr. LeClair. As minister, I look forward to continuing to work with the industry to expand production and increase returns from the marketplace.
2009 Recipients:
Dennis Enman of Coleman and Carl Reynolds of Tea Hill were presented the awards during the opening of the Prince Edward Island International Shellfish Festival in Charlottetown.
Dennis Enman began fishing quahaugs in 1976 and obtained his first oyster lease in 1986. While he still participates in the public oyster fishery, he switched to oyster aquaculture in 2000. He produces high quality oysters for the marketplace through proper growing techniques. Active in the industry, he was a member of the Prince Edward Island Shellfish Association since 1985, a director of the association for 18 years and is the former vice-president of the Prince Edward Island Aquaculture Alliance.
Carl Reynolds became a full-time mussel grower in 1995 in partnership with his son Colin. His background as an engineer with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans equipped him for a successful career as a mussel grower. As an engineer, he worked on projects related to the mussel industry, such as the development of equipment and plant holding systems. Many of these projects were uniquely developed for the industry and revolutionized its practices. A recognized leader, he has served as president of the Prince Edward Island Aquaculture Alliance and the Prince Edward Island Mussel Growers Association.
2008 Recipients:
Four leading members of the shellfish industry were recognized for their contributions to the growth and development of the industry on Friday during the 2008 Prince Edward Island International Shellfish Festival. Blair and Evelyn Smith of Fairview and B.J. Mussel Farms of Kensington were presented with the 2008 Provincial Minister’s Shellfish Recognitions Awards by Fisheries, Aquaculture and Rural Development Minister Allan Campbell.
“I am pleased to congratulate this year’s recipients for their significant efforts to strength production practices, improve quality and promote shellfish products in domestic and international markets,” said Mr. Campbell. “Through their hard work and dedication, they have contributed to the continued growth and development of the shellfish industry in this province.”
Blair and Evelyn Smith have fished oysters and quahogs for 45 years. In the 1980s, they began to devote full-time efforts to the fishery. They are active members of the Queens County Fishermen’s Association serving many years as president and secretary-treasurer and the Prince Edward Island Shellfish Association. Blair has actively promoted Island oysters on behalf of the industry and the provincial government throughout Canada, the United States and Ireland. He is a 13 time winner of the International Oyster Shucking Championship held each year in Tyne Valley.
B.J. Mussel Farms of Kensington was established in 1985 by Blair Ramsay and Jerry Adams. Both former lobster fishers, they developed their leases in Malpeque Bay through the introduction of a number of new innovations and practices. They shared their experiences and ideas with other growers as the industry continued to grow. In 1989, they partnered with David and Dawson Cole to establish Prince Edward Aqua Farms and the internationally recognized Island Gold brand. The plant currently employs 50 people year round in the plant and another 12 to 15 in harvesting. Blair died suddenly as a result of an accident in 2006. His widow Debbie and his business partner Jerry accepted the award.
2007 Recipients:
Clifford Bernard of Tignish and Bill Murley of New Haven were named as the 2007 recipients of the Provincial Minister’s Shellfish Recognition Awards. They are two longstanding 
members of the shellfish industry and were recognized for their contributions to the growth and development of the industry. Nominations come from industry organizations, fellow industry members o the general public, making these awards a considerable honour for the recipients. Minister Campbell congratulates Clifford Bernard and Bill Murley for their contribution to the shellfish industry and wish them many years of good health and happiness.
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.
This information has been taken from website "Fisheries, Aquaculture and Rural Development"