The Twine Loft – August 2017

Passed On: Clifford Aucoin – Cheticamp, N.S. Fisherman

Aucoin, 80, passed away June 20 at the Sacred Heart Community Health Centre. Born in Grand Etang, Inverness County, to the late Denis and Minnie (LeFort) Aucoin, he served 28 years with the RCAF in air traffic control. For 25 years he was President of the Northern Cape Breton Fishing Vessel Association and was also consultant for the Cheticamp Monitoring Association for 15 years.

Passed On: Willie Boudreau – Petit Etang, N.S. Truck Driver

Boudreau, 68, passed away on June 18 at the Sacred Heart Community Health Centre. Born in Cheticamp, he was the son of the late Joseph C. and Marie Julie (LaPierre) Boudreau. He worked for many years as a truck driver for Cheticamp Fisheries Ltd.

Passed On: Elize Saulnier – Arcadia, N.S. Fisherman

Saulnier, 80, passed away unexpectedly June 12 at home. Born September 20, 1936 in Pinkney’s Point, he was a son of Adele and Enos Saulnier. He worked as a boat builder for some time, but his true passion was working on the sea — whether he was lobster fishing, seining, dragging or swordfishing.

Passed On: Rodney Perry – Ingomar, N.S. Fisherman

Perry, 95, passed away on June 11 at the Roseway Manor, Sandy Point. Born on January 14, 1922 on Cape Negro Island, he was a son of the late Harry and Nellie Perry. He moved to the mainland in 1942 and spent his entire life fishing.

Passed On: Gerald Pothier – Wedgeport, N.S. Fisherman

Pothier, 96, passed away peacefully on May 28 at the Yarmouth Regional Hospital with his family by his side. Born September 23, 1920 in Wedgeport, he was a son of the late John Dennis and Rosie Esther (Muise) Pothier. He loved the sea and spent many years working as a lobster and scallop fisherman. He also worked as a carpenter. He was a veteran of the Second World War, having served overseas.

Hired: Robert Otto – Chief Operating Officer, Atlantic Salmon Federation (ASF)

A native of Truro, Nova Scotia, Otto earned his Masters of Science degree from the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton. He began his career as a caribou biologist in Labrador and went on to hold several director level positions in the Newfoundland and Labrador government, including Director of the Science Division and Director of the Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Science, as well as the Acting Director of Air Quality, Climate Change and Resource Management with Environment Nova Scotia. He will be based at ASF’s international headquarters in Chamcook, N.B.

Appointed: At-Large Members – Newfoundland and Labrador Fishery Advisory Council

The Newfoundland and Labrador Government recently announced the appointment of Valerie Johnson, Janice Ryan and Brad Watkins as at-large members of the provincial Fisheries Advisory Council. The appointments were made through the merit-based appointment process established by the Independent Appointments Commission Act. These three at-large members are joined by the independent chair, Bill Wells and membership from the Fish, Food and Allied Workers, the Association of Seafood Producers, Seafood Processors of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Newfoundland Aquaculture Industry Association, and the Marine Institute. The Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada is also represented on the council with an ex-officio member.

Valerie Johnson is a retired special education teacher who spent 30 years teaching in outport communities in Newfoundland and Labrador. In 1997, she formed a partnership with a fisherman and together they fished snow crab, capelin, squid, herring and mackerel in the inshore fishery. In 1999, they began ranching cod and developed a product called Gooseberry Cove Cod, which supplies a niche market with premium seafood in the United States and Canada. Valerie’s work as CEO of the Gooseberry Cove Cod Company has taken her on trade missions to Norway and Greenland, where she has learned about how these countries are maximizing their Atlantic Cod resources in similar remote communities. She is passionate about leading the way in cod aquaculture in Canada and strives to make her community a better place to live through her volunteer positions on the executive of the G.B.S. Recreation Committee, the Traditional Paths Interest Group, the Caplin Cove Southport Local Service District, the Terra Nova Liberal Association and the Southwest Arm Lions Club. She is also a member of the Newfoundland and Labrador Organization of Women Entrepreneurs and the Newfoundland Aquaculture Industry Association.

Janice Ryan is a Senior Specialist, Fisheries Conservation for WWF-Canada with over 18 years of experience in various sectors of the Newfoundland and Labrador fishing industry. She holds a Masters of Marine Studies, Fisheries Resource Management and has held positions within Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the Fish, Food and Allied Workers, and the processing sector. Janice has worked with fish harvesters on fishing vessels to observe snow crab, shrimp and groundfish commercial fishery operations to build a strong foundation of practical knowledge about the realities facing the industry. Through her role with WWF-Canada, Janice has represented the organization on the world stage as a panelist/presenter in prestigious international conferences.

Brad Watkins is a fish harvester/enterprise owner on the northeast coast of Newfoundland. He has over 30 years in the fishing industry, starting as a crew member and working his way to enterprise owner. He has been involved in volunteer work throughout his career, has been Mayor of Cottlesville, and served on various fishing committees (crab, shrimp, groundfish). He is currently serving on the Canadian Centre for Fisheries Innovation board and MP Scott Simms’ advisory committee. He is also currently the Vice Chair of the Newfoundland and Labrador Independent Fish Harvesters’ Association.