Conservation group honors 3 state biologists

Three state biologists have been named 1991 Biologist of the Year by the Sunkhaze Stream Chapter of Trout Unlimited.

Honored by the organization at a recent banquet were J. Dennis McNeish of the Fisheries Division, Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife; Patrick O. Corr of the Wildlife Division, Inland Fisheries and Wildlife; and John W. Hurst of the Department of Marine Resources.

The biologists received their awards Jan. 17 during the chapter’s annual biologist banquet and awards night at the Penobscot County Conservation Club in Brewer. More than 150 people, including state biologists and chapter members, attended the event.

Nancy Kaufman, deputy regional director for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, presented the awards to the three recipients.

The conservation organization began making the presentations in 1986, according to John F. McEachern, chapter president. He said this year’s banquet was the second to be held by the chapter.

McNeish was honored for his “outstanding personnel-management procedures” and his studies and recommendations for the management of bass fisheries in Maine, according to his award.

Corr was recognized for his “dedication to the conservation and utilization of the game bird and waterfowl resources” in Maine, stated his award.

Hurst was honored as his department’s chief scientist “in monitoring bacterial, chemical, and heavy-metal pollution on the Maine coast.” The recipient is “a recognized world expert in the field of paralytic shellfish poison,” and has established a PSP monitoring network in the Gulf of Maine, according to his award.