Fisheries and Aquaculture
October 25, 2010Minister
Awards Third Annual Scholarship
The Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Fisheries
and Aquaculture, has presented the third annual Department of Fisheries
and Aquaculture Scholarship, to Victoria French of Bay Roberts. The
scholarship was created to increase awareness of the province's fishing
and aquaculture industries among students entering post-secondary
institutions.
"It is important that we continually raise awareness
of the province's fishing and aquaculture industries among our youth,"
said Minister Jackman. "There is a bright future in the fishing industry
in Newfoundland and Labrador. It will be a very different industry than
we know it as today. That is why we must attract youth with the
intellect and energy of Ms. French to meet the challenges ahead.
"There are many opportunities in the fields of
fisheries science and oceanographic and marine research. Furthermore,
the fishing industry of the future will increasingly rely on science and
technology as a means of maintaining global competitiveness, creating
new opportunities for the best and brightest among our youth. It is
important that the young people of the province understand the
opportunities that are a part of this industry that is so critical to
our province."
As part of the requirements for the scholarship,
students were asked to write an essay of up to 2,500 words on the major
issues facing the province's fishing or aquaculture industries. They
were also challenged to include possible solutions to these problems.
Victoria's essay addresses issues such as climate change and the deep
impact it is having on the province's fishing industry through
migration, the shrimp life cycle and Canadian seal populations.
Victoria is a graduate of Ascension Collegiate in Bay
Roberts. She has demonstrated an excellent record of academic
achievement, as well as involvement in both her school and community.
While in high school she maintained a 95 per cent average in a French
immersion program. She was the co-founder of Ascension for War Child
which raised funds to rebuild a school for the children of the
Democratic Republic of Congo. She was also a group leader with the
environmental group Gaia and participated in Tutoring for Tuition and
the 30 Hour Famine. Outside of school, she has been active with piano
lessons and ballet classes. Victoria has been accepted to Memorial
University and is studying to become a French immersion teacher.
"Victoria is obviously a very talented and dedicated
individual," said Minister Jackman. "I congratulate her on taking the
initiative to educate herself on the fishing industry and working to
develop solutions to the very complex issues facing the industry. She is
a very accomplished student and I am positive she will go far."
The scholarship of $1,000 is funded through the
department's Sustainable Fisheries and Oceans Policy Division. This
division provides input on fisheries management and science, and oceans
policy development processes within the province.
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Photo: The Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, presents Victoria French of Bay Roberts with the third annual Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture scholarship.
Media contact:
Lori Lee Oates
Director of Communications
Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture
709-729-3733, 690-8403
oatesll@gov.nl.ca
2010 10 25
10:40 a.m.