HALL OF FAME

The Atlantic Canada Marine Industries Hall of Fame honors individuals who have made notable contributions to the marine sector in Atlantic Canada. The categories include Mariners, Processors, and Builders, recognizing those whose contributions have had significant impact to the industry. This awards ceremony is presented at each show by The Navigator magazine.

2026 INDUCTION CEREMONY

Join us in celebrating the 2026 Hall of Fame inductees at the Fish Canada Workboat Canada Show.

The induction ceremony will be held on Friday, January 23rd at 2:00 PM at booth 218 (The Navigator). Enjoy coffee and cake as we honour this year’s outstanding contributors:

LESLIE LEGER

PROCESSOR CATEGORY

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Leslie Leger, born on September 1936, followed in his father Arthur’s footsteps and then passed on his passion for seafood processing to his sons, Marcel and Sylvio. Leslie married the lovely Carmel Brun in 1961 and together they had two sons and one daughter. All the while, Leslie devoted his life to family and the fish processing industry.

Leslie began working very early with his father. Arthur began processing herring bloaters in the 1950s in Cap-Pele. Leslie acquired the family business in 1975, creating Lesie Leger and Sons Limited. Since then, Leslie Leger and Sons has been a leader and innovator in the smoked fish processing industry. Markets include bloaters, gaspereaux, mild cured and roe.

When machinery was not available, Leslie took it upon himself and designed and created his own. He has designed and built salt machines. He always forged through with innovations.

Leslie has seen many changes in his 89 years. He still frequents the plant and office many days a week. Forever a father and businessman, Leslie has helped many people in the community and surrounding region, supporting local community projects as well as employing more than 100 people.

Leslie has earned many accolades throughout his long and successful career, including being named a recipient of the Canada Export Excellence Award for successful export marketing. Customers from Dominican Republic, Haiti and Norway depended on the quality of products that Leslie created to feed their families. Customers could always count on Leslie to be a man of his word. He continues to be one of the most respected processors in New Brunswick and Atlantic Canada as a whole.

MELANIE SONNENBERG

BUILDER CATEGORY

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Melanie Sonnenberg has dedicated over four decades to fisheries management, establishing herself as a respected leader within the industry. Her career began in 1981 with the Grand Manan Fishermen’s Association (GMFA). Initially responsible for administrative duties, she quickly expanded her role to include coordinating Board activities, guiding fishery management initiatives, developing fishing plans, and representing local fleets at national and international levels. She also serves as a key liaison for the Harbour Authority, Small Craft Harbours and the Fundy Marine Service Centre, ensuring members remain informed through minutes, newsletters, and direct communication.

In 1983, working with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Melanie oversaw Grand Manan’s harbour management program, spearheading projects such as dredging, wharf repairs, improved service installations and the island’s first floating fuel systems. In 1989, she formalized one of Eastern Canada’s first Harbour Authorities and continues to serve as Executive Director. Her successful advocacy has helped secure multi-million-dollar wharf developments, including a pioneering $350,000 armour-stone repair project in 1997. She served on the Maritime Harbour Authority Advisory Council from 1997–2003, becoming Chair in 2001 and was Secretary of the National Harbour Authority Advisory Committee from 2001–2003. She has recently returned to the Regional Harbour Authority Advisory Committee as of 2025.

Recognizing new market opportunities for surplus herring, Melanie operated an Over-the-Side sale program to foreign vessels beginning in 1989, including traveling to Russia to expand markets. The initiative generated more than $5 million in new regional income and earned her recognition as the 1994 Woman Entrepreneur for New Brunswick’s Fundy Region.

She also co-chairs the Canadian Marine Advisory Council’s Standing Committee for Fishing Vessel Safety and has been deeply involved in Grey Zone management since 2002.

Melanie played a central role in forming the Canadian Independent Fish Harvester Federation in 2012 and currently sits as President.

BOBBY JENKINS

MARINER CATEGORY

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For many years, the name of Bobby (Robert) Jenkins has been synonymous with the Prince Edward Island Fishermen’s Association (PEIFA) and the P.E.I. commercial fishing industry in general.

Bobby spent his younger years fishing with family and bought his first fishing enterprise in 1973 from his uncle Edwin Jenkins, a World War II veteran. He sold that fleet to go to school for a plumbing course, but the lure of the fishery brought Bobby back in 1975 to fish lobster, groundfish, mackerel and bluefin tuna.

In 1993, he strongly supported his wife Lorena when she bought her fishing fleet. Lorena was one of the Island’s first female captains and they fished separately and competitively, until her unfortunate passing in 2007. Born and raised in Little Pond, Bobby’s collective fishing family includes a brother, sons, daughter, grandchildren, first cousins, uncles, nephews, nieces, sons-in-law and brothers-in-law.

He thrives in the fishing environment and fishing trips with family mean the world to him. Three generations in the boat together is quite simply priceless.

A fierce advocate for the fishing community, Bobby donates countless hours annually to attend meetings and receives hundreds of phone calls. He has been PEIFA President for the past seven years and served 14 years as Vice President. This period included executive positions in the Southern Kings and Queens local association.

His accomplishments include the hard-fought return of the herring line for Island fishers, development of a Low Interest Loan Relief Program, New Entrant support programs and the COVID Harvester Support Package.

Bobby is known in his community as someone who will quietly assist those in need, provide a ride or lend a vehicle. He has a reputation for being direct, resourceful, fair and keeping PEIFA members interests front and centre. His focus is there must be a win for harvesters. This is the cornerstone of who he is.

To see more information about past award winners, visit The Navigator: Atlantic Canada Marine Industries Hall of Fame

Atlantic Canada Hall of fame Presentation