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in si de ha lto n. co m O ak vi lle B ea ve r | T hu rs da y, Ju ne 3, 20 21 | 2 The Town of Oakville is launching a new pilot pro- gram that will see some fishing restrictions dropped, particularly at lo- cal piers and harbours. On Tuesday, May 25, Oakville council voted to approve the one-year pilot program, which will run from June 1, 2021 to June 1, 2022. The program will allow fishing with no seasonal restrictions on both sides of the Bronte West Pier. It will also permit addi- tional spring and fall fish- ing by reducing the period fishing is restricted at oth- er Oakville locations such as harbours and water- front parks. Currently fishing is re- stricted from April 15 to Nov. 15. Under the pilot project this will change to a re- striction period of May 15 to Oct. 15. "This would allow addi- tional early season spring fishing for species such as rainbow and brown trout, and better opportunity for fall fishing with the migra- tion of the chinook salm- on," said Chris Mark, the town's director of parks and open space. The pilot program comes after the town re- ceived numerous com- plaints from anglers about the April 15 to Nov. 15 fish- ing restrictions during the summer of 2020. Mark noted those re- strictions have been in place for 25 years to protect recreational boaters and pedestrians on piers and waterfront walkways from being injured by an angler casting their line. He said the COVID-19 pandemic drove more peo- ple to the waterfront in 2020 resulting in more 'no fishing' signs being put up and more enforcement be- ing done to keep everyone safe. Mark said the removal of these restrictions from both sides of the Bronte West Pier is appropriate. "This will accommodate more fishing and provide fishing year-round," he said. "There is very little pe- destrian activity on the west pier. Secondly, there are navigational buoy markers within the chan- nel and boaters should be within buoys and therefore allow fishing to occur from the east side of the pier." In 2020 fishing was only permitted on the lake side of that pier. Mark noted the reduced fishing restrictions for the harbour and waterfront park areas is more in align- ment with the recreational boating season. He noted boats launch in early May and boats are to be removed from the harbours by Oct. 15. "Hence allowing addi- tional spring and fall fish- ing should not impact the recreational boating com- munity and maintains a re- stricted period when our waterfront parks and piers experience the heaviest pe- destrian usage," said Mark. During the pilot pro- gram period town staff will gauge feedback and deter- mine the impact of the changes on safety and rec- reational boating within the harbours. PILOT PROGRAM WILL DROP OR ALTER WATERFRONT FISHING RESTRICTIONS Fishing restriction period at the waterfront will be from May 15 to Oct. 15 under a new year long pilot program. Graham Paine/Metroland DAVID LEA dlea@metroland.com NEWS Gary Allan Learning Centres Learn English or French June 28 to July 29, 2021 Free OnlineClasses • 5 week program • Morning, afternoon and evening sessions • Beginner to advanced levels • Trained instructors • eLearning guidance available • Interactive and engaging lessons Programs funded by: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada Immigration, Réfugiés et Citoyenneté Canada For more information on how to register, contact: Email: linc-esl@hdsb.ca or Visit: garyallan.ca and self register Register Early! Space is Limited Gary Allan Learning Centres Saturday, June 19th, 2021 • 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm delmanor.com A first-hand account from broadcasting icon Erin Davis: Mourning Has Broken: Love, Loss & Reclaiming Joy Erin Davis will share thoughts on grief, and how to reclaim joy after experiencing devastating loss. Based on her book, Erin will pass along the lessons learned with sensitivity and humour. This virtual lecture is FREE. Spaces are limited! To RSVP, please contact Pat or Monique at (905) 469-3232 by June 18. 1459 Nottinghill Gate, Oakville (905) 469-3232