Legacy Forward As this issue of Legacy was being finalized for global distribution in late February, the twenty day libel/defamation suit by Mainstream Canada / Cermaq against our friend and fellow wild game fish conservationist, Don Staniford, came to an end. It seems as though this multinational, salmon feedlot industry giant cannot stand the truth. Mr. Staniford, like thousands of others around the world, correctly compared the open pen salmon feedlot industry to the tobacco industry – direct and second-hand health hazards, government corruption, corporate greed/arrogance, highly paid legal teams and so very much more. We now await Judge Adair’s ruling.
WGFCI published a special edition of Legacy (http://issuu.com/steelhead-salmonsociety/docs/legacystanifordspecial) early in February. This issue focused on the court case against Mr. Staniford, some of the potential implications to wild Pacific salmon and their ecosystems and it recognized a few of the businesses that contributed to help offset Don’s mounting legal fees. The March 2012 issue of Legacy is far reaching as it explores wild fish conservation efforts in countries and on continents that we have not previously featured – Africa, Australia and Venezuela. It features recreational fishing opportunities in Canada, India and the United States of America. And, it features amazing art and conservation efforts by future stewards of our natural resources. We continue to urge conservationists to speak out and to demonstrate peacefully for wild game fish and their fragile ecosystems; ecosystems that we are but one small component of. As recreational fishermen, conservation of wild game fish for future generations is our passion. Publishing “Legacy” is our responsibility to ensure the future of these precious gifts.
Bruce Treichler
James E. Wilcox Wild Game Fish Conservation International