Community leadership highlights 14th annual aquaculture awards night
Feb. 23, 2013 Fish farmers and their suppliers had a lot to celebrate Saturday night, recognizing outstanding employees who have helped improve the aquaculture industry in B.C.
“Every year it gets better and better,” says Cory Percevault, president of Positive Aquaculture Awareness (PAA). “We love putting on this event, getting together to have a great time and to recognize people who do an exceptional job in aquaculture.”
The Positive Aquaculture Awareness society held its 14th annual dinner and awards night on Feb. 23, 2013 at the Eagles Hall in Campbell River. The sold-out event featured a delicious farmed seafood dinner, a silent auction, a heads and tails raffle and the highlight of the night, awards presentations.
Employees and managers were awarded for their leadership, on and off the job.
The 2013 award recipients were:
Business of the Year Award:
BC Centre for Aquatic Health Sciences
Environment Award:
Mainstream Biological Consulting
Leadership Award:
Kevin Onclin, Badinotti Net Services
Long-Term Achievement Award:
Walter Worsley, Grieg Seafood BC
Outstanding Employee Performance Award:
Kevin Kephart, Walcan Seafood
Outstanding Manager Performance Award:
Dave Pashley, Marine Harvest Canada
Rookie of the Year Award:
Grant Warkentin, Mainstream Canada
Outstanding Community Contribution Award:
Dave Samson, Mainstream Canada
As in previous years, the awards night also provides an opportunity to raise money in support of important local not-for-profits that help benefit BC’s wild salmon. A total of $1,000.00 was raised and donated to the Campbell River Salmon Foundation to assist in its habitat restoration of local rivers.
The dinner and awards night is an annual fundraiser for PAA, a grassroots organization which is dedicated to promoting awareness of British Columbia's aquaculture industry through public education and community involvement.
Business of the Year Award:
BC Centre for Aquatic Health Sciences
Award sponsored by Aquaculture North America
Environment Award: Mainstream Biological Consulting 
Lance Stewardson (MBC) and Heather Brown (BC CAHS)
Award Sponsored by BC Centre for Aquatic Health Science
Leadership Award:
Kevin Onclin, Badinotti Net Services
Heidi Fuerste (on behalf of NAHC) and Kevin Oclin
Award sponsored by Novartis Animal Health Canada
Long Term Achievement Award:
Walter Worsley, Grieg Seafood BC 
Stewart Hawthorn (on behalf of Walter Worsley) Dave Minato
Award sponsored by BC Salmon Farmers Association
Outstanding Employee Performance:
Kevin Kephart, Walcan Seafood
Gordon Heimbecker and Kevin Kephart
Award Sponsored by Noboco / Aqua-Pak
Outstanding Manager Award:
Dave Pashley, Marine Harvest Canada
Dave Pashley and Wade Kaskiw
Award Sponsored by AKVA group North America
Rookie of the Year Award:
Grant Warkentin, Mainstream Canada
Grant Warkentin
Award sponsored by Skretting Canada
Outstanding Community Contribution:
Dave Samson, Mainstream Canada
Dave Samson and Cam Pirie
Award sponsored by Walcan Seafood
