Our President, Mark Hambrook, is being presented with the Atlantic Salmon Federation’s highest honour at meetings in Montreal this week.   The award has been presented annually since 1975 in memory of T.B. “Happy” Fraser to an individual who has made outstanding, long-term contributions to wild Atlantic salmon conservation.  

Miramichi Salmon Conservationist Receives Top Award
Aprill 29, 2013              Atlantic Salmon Federation

St. Andrews – The Atlantic Salmon Federation (ASF) will present Mark Hambrook, President of the Miramichi Salmon Association  (MSA), with the organization’s highest honor at meetings of ASF’s Board of Directors in Montreal on May 2nd.  The award has been presented annually since 1975 in memory of T.B. “Happy” Fraser to an individual who has made outstanding, long-term contributions to wild Atlantic salmon conservation.  

Born and raised on the Miramichi in Renous, Mr. Hambrook’s passion and dedication for salmon conservation have helped to make the Miramichi recognized as one of the best managed salmon rivers in the world.  Over the course of his 35-year long career in salmon conservation, his knowledge and experience has been extended to numerous rivers and organizations interested in salmon conservation, and he has become a recognized leader in salmon management throughout North America. A graduate of the University of New Brunswick, Mr. Hambrook began his career as a biologist with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), where he was subsequently employed for more than 18 years.  Working for the department as Manager of the Miramichi Salmonid Enhancement Center in South Esk, NB, he was known to be an influential supporter of anglers and their role in salmon conservation.

When the federal government announced the closure of the Salmonid Enhancement Center in 1997, Mr. Hambrook was determined to stay in the Miramichi community; he partnered with the MSA as a private investor to acquire the hatchery from DFO, now known as the Miramichi Salmon Conservation Center.  The association assumed full ownership of the facility in 2000, and Mr. Hambrook continues to guide its operations today as President of the MSA.