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Land-based aquaculture proponent gets Haig-Brown Conservation Award

Eric Hobson known for financing and building Kuterra in partnership with ‘Namgis First Nation
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Spawning sockeye salmon are seen making their way up the Adams River in Roderick Haig-Brown Provincial Park near Chase, B.C., on October 13, 2014. Photo by the Canadian Press/Jonathan Hayward

A proponent of land-based fish farms is the winner of a conservation award named after one of Campbell River’s most famous residents, the late Roderick Haig-Brown.

The Totem Flyfishers announced last week that Eric Hobson has won the Haig-Brown Conservation Award. The flyfishing club was formed under the guidance of Haig-Brown, the author, angler, conservationist and magistrate.

Hobson, who lives in Calgary, is credited with founding the Save Our Salmon Society, serving as a director for the Watershed Watch Salmon Society, volunteering thousands of hours on issues related to fish farming and wild salmon, and raising funds for scientific research and Indigenous court challenges.

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He’s also known for his work financing and building Kuterra, a land-based salmon farm near Port McNeill, in partnership with ‘Namgis First Nation.

“Eric Hobson’s work on sustainable aquaculture and wild salmon conservation embodies the spirit of Haig-Brown for whom this award is named,” said Totem Flyfishers president Tom Johannesen in a media release.

Previous winners of the award include biologist and outspoken aquaculture critic Alexandra Morton, former politician David Anderson and former fishing columnist Lee Straight.


@davidgordonkoch
david.koch@campbellrivermirror.com

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