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Sunday, May 1, 2016

SWAN FREED FROM CARELESSLY DISCARDED FISHING TACKLE - RAISES LARGER QUESTION OF ANGLERS' RESPONSIBILITIES TO WILDLIFE.



"Salman Almoteb and CCFEW member Brian Bailey are shown removing two fish hooks and several feet of fishing line from a distressed Mute Swan tangled close to shore. Bruce Wilkinson was able to snag the line with a long branch and pull the Swan within reach. The bird seemed to know they were helping it and did not struggle. Fisherman should be more aware of what can happen when they discard tackle like this in the water or close to shore. Thankfully this had a happy ending."

Report from Sam Smith Park yesterday.

There have been other reports from the park like this of waterbirds being tangled up in discarded fishing line, hooks and lures carelessly left by fisherman in the bay.  Fishing is legal in Sam Smith and our park is becoming ever more popular for this activity.  Anglers need to be made more aware of their responsibilities to wildlife.  The City of Toronto is quite clear about this in their bylaws.
 

 


Maybe what Sam Smith Park needs are signs like the ones posted around Grenadier Pond in High Park where they have similar problems?

Friends of Sam Smith Park will follow up on the feasibility of this with the City of Toronto's Parks Department.

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