Fishing is free this weekend in Manitoba’s provincial parks. (PIXABAY.COM)
This weekend is free family fishing weekend, and anglers will have an easier time of properly disposing their used fishing line.
The province, along with TransCanada and the Wildlife Haven Rehabilitation Centre will be setting up “specially designed containment units” at popular fishing spots, said Sustainable Development Minister Rochelle Squires. The program is called Clear Your Gear and will see that used fishing line is recycled properly.
Monofilament fishing line can be dangerous to birds, fish and other wildlife if carelessly thrown away or left on shore, and even in a landfill, the wire can be picked up by other birds.
“Manitobans are hooked on fishing, and so are the tourists who are lured to visit our beautiful lakes and rivers, generating more than $200 million in direct and indirect impact to the economy,” said Squires. “That’s a lot of lines in the water, and we want to remind and encourage all anglers to respect the beauty of our natural areas by safely placing trash and fishing line in proper receptacles.”
“We have seen many fatal monofilament line injuries to birds in recent years and are excited see a project that will work to illuminate this problem,” said Zoe Nakata, executive director, Wildlife Haven Rehabilitation Centre.
Anglers will not need a licence to fish on June 9 and 10 in provincial parks this year, and access to provincial parks will be free this weekend. Still, rules and regulations, including how many fish people can keep, still apply. Find out more at www.manitobafisheries.com.
— Staff
