OTTAWA — Vancouver chef Robert Clarke was named to the Order of Canada in November.
The chef, author and co-owner of The Fish Counter was recognized for his role as founding partner of the Vancouver Aquarium’s Ocean Wise Seafood program and “for establishing a world-renowned program to help businesses and customers identify and purchase sustainable seafood.”
“Having gone through the process as a chef, Rob’s knowledge of sustainable and quality seafood was invaluable to designing an Ocean Wise program that enabled businesses to source responsible seafood,” says Mike McDermid, co-founder of the Ocean Wise Seafood program and co-owner of The Fish Counter. “His passion and unyielding willingness to volunteer his time to ocean conservation has forever positively changed the landscape of seafood in Canada. For all his efforts, I could not think of a more deserving recipient of The Order of Canada. “
The Order recognizes Canadians from all sectors of society for their outstanding achievements, dedication to their communities and service to the nation.
“To be true to your own values is one thing. To start a national movement based on those values is another. Rob Clark has done both,” says Laurenne Schiller, science analyst, Ocean Wise Seafood. “Around the time that many chefs and diners were getting excited about kale salad, Rob began asking questions about a food system rarely considered: capture fisheries.”
