Brock Township looks to make docks and boat launches safer with fishing rule change

DAN CEARNS, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, for The Standard

BROCK: The Township of Brock is looking to improve safety for boaters, this spring and summer, by not allowing fishing on the Township’s public docks and boat launch ramps.

A decision to amend the parks bylaw to prohibit fishing in these areas was made at a Committee of the Whole meeting on Monday, April 12th.

“The practice of fishing from public docks and boat launch ramps is becoming more common, and presents safety risks to the public including obstructions or impediments for persons docking or launching vessels in the harbour. As a result, staff recommend the by-law be amended to prohibit fishing from public docks and boat launch ramps in parks,” read a report from the Township’s bylaw enforcement supervisor Sarah Beauregard-Jones.

Ward 1 Councillor Michael Jubb agreed this is a “safety issue” and asked for further explanation from the bylaw department. “We were noticing, especially with [COVID-19] but even prior to this, people were trying to dock boats in the township docks and there would be lineups of fishermen on these docks or some in the area where the boat ramps are. It really is a safety issue,” Ms. Beauregard-Jones explained.

She clarified this is only for township docks and boat launches, meaning there is nothing to “stop people from fishing on the north beach, or on the pier, or on the breakwalls, whatsoever.”

Ward 3 Councillor Walter Schummer questioned if bylaw officers will run a campaign to remind residents of the change in the rules once the amended bylaw passes.

“Last summer, we did ask a lot of fishermen to move off the township docks because of safety issues. We would just do it as part of our regular patrol and enforcement. If it was extremely busy down there, we would put on extra personnel to deal with it. Of course, we would do education before enforcement as we always do,” Ms. Beauregard-Jones responded.