I wish to comment on the offering of Keith Corcoran in the January 18 edition of the Progress Bulletin, "Group calls on feds to take a hardline stance with salmon anglers." It is important that readers are given "the rest of the story."

 The LaHave River Watershed Enhancement Foundation has a long-standing project, Riverwatch Volunteer Monitors. During the 2011 sport fishing season we observed the "bunch of idiots" Mr. Randall refers to in the news article.

 They were, in fact, former executive members of the LaHave River Salmon Association (LRSA) and-or former directors of LRSA. Mr. Randall's reference to "we" is refreshingly candid. I know Mr. Randall to have a genuine concern for conservation on the LaHave. It is much to his credit that he is weeding out those in his ranks who live to kill more salmon.

 As far as the comments by Chris Sperry of DFO are concerned, I will be charitable, because as the new supervisor, he has been exposed to "a careless handling of the truth."

 Senior management of DFO were advised by myself, by e-mail, of the violations and that the culprits were prominent professional persons and Bridgewater-area businessmen. We raised the concern at regional sport fishing advisory meetings, salmon advisory meetings and salmon advisory meetings with DFO and salmon association executive members were in attendance.

 Also, I had a meeting in the DFO office with the acting supervisor of the Bridgewater office, who agreed with me that this flaunting of the law amounted to anarchy.

 When our foundation was formed in 1994, it was painfully clear that conservation of salmon stocks and concern for the LaHave were not priorities with the LRSA.

 In our contemporary justice system (which is better labelled as a legal system) there are too many persons allowed to operate above the law.

 I am not optimistic that will change.

 RON S. SENEY
 Chairman, LRWE Foundation

posted on 01/25/12