Volunteer Profile – Tom Callaghan

Meet Tom Callaghan, a member of our New Brunswick Advisory Committee.

Callaghan was born and raised in the Campbellton area and has always loved the outdoors.

“But I never had time to fish or run the river due to the fact that the business I was in did not allow much free time in the summer,” he said. “When I sold my shares in the business, I was approached by the manager of the Restigouche Salmon Club to see if I would be interested in replacing him when he retired. I told him that I had no experience on the river, but he convinced me to meet some of the members of the club. To make a long story short, I agreed to give it a try.”

In 2002, Callaghan became a founding member of the Restigouche River Watershed Management Committee (RRWMC) and still sits on the committee.  The committee is heavily involved in habitat protection and rehabilitation.

“I became quite involved in many of the various projects.  The success of many of the RRWMC projects must have caught someone’s interest as I was approached to apply to become a volunteer with the Atlantic Salmon Conservation Foundation.  It is extremely interesting to review the various projects submitted to the ASCF and to see the number of dedicated volunteers who work to improve both habitat and stock.”

Callaghan said he went from someone who knew nothing of the river or Atlantic salmon to one who now realizes there is so much more to learn and to do to ensure the survival of this amazing fish.

“Volunteering, whether with the ASCF or with the various groups that we fund, is both good for the soul and great for the salmon.”

Volunteers are crucial to the work ASCF does, and each month we will introduce you to one of our stellar volunteers to say thank you for all the work they do in Atlantic salmon conservation.