Conservation Officer of the Year announced for 2004

Ed Byrne, Minister of Natural Resources, announced today Colin Cheater is the recipient of the Newfoundland and Labrador Conservation Officer of the Year award for 2004.

Mr. Cheater, a resident of Trepassey, is a conservation officer II employed in Forest Management District 1 in the Avalon region. A native of Grimsby, England, he has worked for the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador since September 7, 1976, when he was hired as a game warden by the Department of Tourism. He became a permanent wildlife protection officer in May 1977 holding that position until October 1997 when he became a conservation officer.

"On behalf of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, I congratulate Mr. Cheater for being selected for this prestigious award. He is certainly a deserving recipient of the award for 2004," said Minister Byrne. "Through his dedicated efforts he has clearly demonstrated his unwavering commitment toward the protection of our province�s natural resources."

While Mr. Cheater is known for his professional approach toward all aspects of forestry and wildlife enforcement, it was his dedication to the Inland Fisheries Enforcement Program (IFEP) which stood out during 2004. Along with his IFEP team members, Mr. Cheater worked tirelessly to protect vulnerable Atlantic salmon stocks from poachers. It was common practice for him to travel long distances and work long hours in the field under what were often difficult and stressful circumstances.

The efforts of Mr. Cheater and other IFEP team members, with the support of other enforcement agencies, lead to the identification and prosecution of several salmon poachers in 2004. In one operation on the Branch River, the leadership of Mr. Cheater contributed to the conviction of four poachers, who each received fines of $5,000, as well as the seizure of 78 salmon and fishing equipment. The efforts of Mr. Cheater and his fellow conservation offices resulted in the IFEP Team being awarded the Public Service Award of Excellence for 2004. In addition to his work with the IFEP, Mr. Cheater also detected the most violations in his district which covered a wide range of forestry and wildlife regulations.

Mr. Cheater is also a dedicated family man and contributor to his community. He is a former Mayor of Trepassey, a member of the RCMP auxiliary and an elected member of the Trepassey Management Corporation. He is also active in sports and an avid sport fisherman.

Minister Byrne said his department is fortunate to have as part of its protection and enforcement efforts a staff member who possesses such a wealth of knowledge and experience. "Mr. Cheater is an exemplary representative of the Department of Natural Resources and typifies the positive qualities we find in community leaders and stewards of our wildlife and forest resources," said Minister Byrne. "I wish to thank him for his valuable contributions in the past and wish him continued success in the future."

A committee within the Department of Natural Resources selected Mr. Cheater for the award which is sponsored by the Shikar-Safari Club International. This group, which was established in 1953, is known for a variety of conservation projects around the world. All provinces in Canada, as well as the 50 states in the U.S.A., participate in the Conservation Officer of the Year program.

Media contact: Carmel Turpin, Communications, (709) 729-5282, (709) 685-4624, carmelturpin@gov.nl.ca

2006 01 05        11:00 a.m.