Pickering takes part in 'Clear Your Gear' project to support wildlife safety at waterfront

Pickering, ON, August 18, 2022 – Yesterday, the City of Pickering and Ontario Power Generation (OPG) unveiled the City’s new fishing line receptacles, part of the ‘Clear Your Gear’ project, a volunteer-led fishing recycling network that keeps wildlife and residents safe from improperly disposed of fishing lines.

Improper disposal of fishing lines can pose a major safety risk to wildlife, people, and property. To help, the City has installed six fishing line receptacles along Pickering’s waterfront.

These receptacles will help ensure that all fishing lines can be properly disposed of, and that Pickering’s waterfront area is kept safe for all.

How it works:

1. Visitors will deposit their used fishing lines into the receptacles
2. City staff will empty the receptacles and sort out any garbage
3. Staff will ship the fishing lines to a designated facility to be recycled

“We are thrilled to support the Clear Your Gear project and improve the safety of our wildlife, residents, and visitors,” said Lindsey Narraway, Supervisor, Animal Services. “Unfortunately, we have seen many animals become injured due to improperly disposed of fishing lines. Installing these receptacles will hopefully encourage those fishing to dispose of them the right way, and in return, protect those within our community.”

Pickering is one of the first municipalities to sponsor this program and looks forward to offering residents and visitors a new, easy, and sustainable way to dispose of fishing lines.

Visit pickering.ca/fishing(External link) to learn about the initiative, proper fishing etiquette, and more.

To learn more about Clear Your Gear, visit ClearYourGear.ca(External link)