Ed Frenette from the position as executive director of the PEI Fishermen’s Association (PEIFA). Ed is now Commercial Fisheries Liaison Co-ordinator with the Mi’kmaq Confederacy of Prince Edward Island. PEIFA has advertised to fill the vacancy and a decision is expected in the next month or so. In the meantime, PEIFA Board members and staff are taking care of business.

Mark Small from Wild Cove Newfoundland, long-time advocate for the Canadian Sealing Industry. Newfoundland’s Fisheries Minister Clyde Jackman presented Mark with an Award of Recognition on behalf of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador for his leadership and commitment to the Canadian Sealing Industry for over 30 years. Mark was also recently honoured with the Fur Institute of Canada’s Bernard Cahill Memorial Award recognizing his significant contributions in promoting respect for people, animals and the environment at the community level and with a global perspective. Two years ago, Mark was voted the Navigator/Master Promotions Fishing Industry Achievement Award winner during the North Atlantic Fish and Workboat Show in St. John’s. Mark was one of the founders of the Canadian Sealers Association. He was CSA president for over 15 years. Under his leadership, the association played a major role in revitalizing the industry to one of the most successful stories in the Newfoundland and Labrador fishing industry. Mark is a true pioneer of the sealing industry and speaks with conviction on the importance of this renewable and sustainable natural resource. Mark is currently active in representing sealers on the Fur Institute of Canada’s Seals and Sealing Committee. He is president of the Northeast Coast Sealer’s Co-operative and remains an active professional fish harvester. Mark is a highly respected leader and his relentless dedication and passion to the sealing industry is unparalleled.

Yvon Gaudet of Westmoreland Fisheries in Cap Pele, New Brunswick. Yvon has been a partner in Westmoreland for 35 years. Westmoreland Fisheries specialized in lobster transformation and exportation. It’s now one of the Atlantic Canada’s experts leader in lobster international exportation. Created in 1975 by Edgar Cormier, expert in management and marketing, it welcomed a new partner in 1976: Yvon Gaudet who brought his knowledge in seafood transformation and sales. Since its creation, the expansion is constant. Along with Yvon’s management strategy, Westmorland created a microbiologic laboratory in the factory in 2009. Yvon has been described by some of his colleagues as one of the last of the old-school style managers where a handshake is a signed and sealed contract.