Graham has worked dilligently for the seatrout cause for many years and has led the campaign to oppose the pollution of our bays from the sealice created by the fish farms.

Prof Graham Shaw Chairman of SOS who accepted the Award commented as follows:

"I congratulate the National Salmon Commission on its wisdom in including
sea trout in its brief. The sea trout is, like the salmon, a migratory
species, but it remains confined to the estuaries of our home waters. It
therefore represents the most sensitive index of how well we manage those
waters. In short, what's good for the sea trout, is also good for the
salmon."

"Restoration of sea trout is, of course, no longer a scientific issue but
a political one. What we have experienced in Ireland is now recognised as
an international phenomenon wherever salmon farming is practised. Before
Christmas, a small delegation from SOS had a most constructive meeting
with the Minister. I think I can say that we left him in no doubt as to
what immediate action we believe needs to be taken, namely mandatory
control of sea lice on salmon farms to a very high standard coupled with
automatic sanctions for failure to comply."

"At the beginning of his term of office, the Minister struck a chord with
anglers by acknowledging the mis-management of the rod licence issue.
I would suggest that he might finish his first term in a blaze of glory, by
taking the necessary action to protect our sea trout." said Prof Graham Shaw, Chairman, SOS