(L-R Tom Benjamin, Pres NBSC, Lieutenant Gov Chaisson, and Peter Cronin)----------- Bill Ensor Photo
Fredericton, NB... Peter Cronin of Douglas, N.B., Fisheries Manager at the Department of
Natural Resources and ardent conservationist, is the 2008 recipient of the Lieutenant
Governor’s Award for Wild Atlantic Salmon Conservation, presented annually by the New
Brunswick Salmon Council (NBSC).
The Honourable Herménégilde Chiasson, Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick and
Honourary Patron of the NBSC, announced the recipient and presented the Award during a
reception at Old Government House in Fredericton on Friday, November 28. He said, “It is
an honour and a delight to recognize the life-long work of Peter Cronin - someone so
dedicated to protecting and better managing our environment, and to helping others to do
the same. I admire his patience, courage and generosity.“
Mr. Cronin responded to those in attendance, “Governments cannot and should not manage
the natural resources of the province in isolation of its citizens. We must work with federal
and provincial departments, First Nation communities, non-governmental organizations,
individuals and the private sector to adopt a common philosophy and approach to the
conservation of our fish, their habitats and their use. I would like to personally thank and
congratulate all the volunteers in New Brunswick that are working towards the sustainability
of the Atlantic salmon resource.” Mr. Cronin suggested that people from across the
province must “join in the work of rebuilding our stocks – fish by fish, river by river, and
watershed by watershed. The approach we use to make these improvements must be
reasonable, sensible and responsible “.
Tom Benjamin, President of the NBSC said, “I’m thrilled to be part of the presentation of this
award to an individual who has made such major contributions to the conservation of wild
Atlantic salmon. Peter has played a significant role in salmon conservation, ranging from his
involvement in community groups to international organizations such as the North Atlantic
Salmon Conservation Organization in which he serves as a provincial representative. He is
a true steward of wild Atlantic salmon and their environment.”
During his distinguished career, Peter has been a strong advocate of community based
watershed management and has been extremely active and instrumental in the formation of
many of these groups in New Brunswick. He sits as a member of several such
organizations in the province (including the Miramichi Watershed Management Committee
and the Restigouche River Watershed Management Council) operating under
Memorandums of Understanding with various sectors and levels of governments. He serves
as the New Brunswick Representative on the Central Advisory Committee of the Atlantic
Salmon Conservation Foundation.
Bill Taylor, President and CEO of the Atlantic Salmon Federation, added that “Peter has
done much for the conservation, restoration and wise management of wild Atlantic salmon in
our province and is a most deserving recipient of this prestigious award”.
Throughout the province, Peter is highly regarded as an individual who generously provides
insight and tireless assistance to fellow conservationists in the struggle to ensure a bright
future for wild Atlantic salmon.
The Lieutenant Governor’s Award is hand-carved from a piece of New Brunswick black
cherry by local artist Bill Page, and has been on permanent display at Old Government
House since it was first awarded in 2000.
