Gulf of Maine Award Presented to First Nova Scotian

AGRICULTURE/FISHERIES--Gulf of Maine Award Presented to First Nova Scotian

On Dec. 5, Nova Scotia Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries Ernest Fage presented a Gulf of Maine Council Award to its first Nova Scotia recipient.

Arthur Bull, an outreach co-ordinator with the Bay of Fundy Marine Resource Centre in Cornwallis, Digby Co. was presented with the Longard Volunteer Award in Saint John, N.B., during a meeting of the Gulf of Maine Council. Mr. Bull is the first Nova Scotian, and indeed the first Canadian, to receive this award.

The Longard Award is given to an individual in recognition of his or her volunteer efforts, dedication to environmental protection and sustainability of natural resources within the marine, near- shore or watershed environment of the Gulf of Maine.

"In keeping with the spirit of the Longard Award, Mr. Bull has committed to community-based resource management, as well as the sustainable, environmental and economic well-being of Nova Scotia's coastal and rural communities," said Mr. Fage.

Mr. Bull has been involved in such groups as the Fundy Fixed Gear Council and the Bay of Fundy Fisheries Council. He was a driving force in the establishment of the Bay of Fundy Marine Resource Centre in Cornwallis Park. He was also instrumental in organizing and implementing the Writing the Rules Project which sought to provide a comprehensive overview of the views of fishermen on fisheries management and fisheries conservation.

The award is in memory of Art Longard, former employee of Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Nova Scotia Department of Fisheries. Mr. Longard committed countless hours to the conservation of marine life in the Gulf of Maine and was involved in the development of the international Gulf of Maine program.

The ceremony to present the remainder of the Gulf of Maine Council Awards for Nova Scotians will take place on Feb. 26 in Truro.