The Conservation Award is made by the BASS Committee to a person(s) or organisation considered to have made a significant contribution to conservation. It is not awarded every year. Occasionally it is awarded to more than one recipient.
For 2011 it was unanimously agreed that it should be awarded to IrishBass. John Quinlan, who is the leading light of the organisation, was present on the day of the AGM to update us on IrishBass’s current direction and progress. He wasn’t aware that IrishBass had been chosen for the Award. It’s not often you see an Irishman lost for words.
BASS Chairman, Ian Misselbrook commented:
Those who know John are constantly amazed by his boundless energy, knowledge and commitment to the sport which gives us so much enjoyment.
We are all aware of his involvement over many years in the fight to secure the future of bass fishing for Recreational Sea Anglers in Southern Ireland. This recently culminated in the Irish Minister rejecting the Commercials advances.
This Conservation Award is thoroughly deserved by him and the organisation he represents. It’s a credit to ‘himself’ and a lesson to us all.
