The Mute Swans in Brooklyn’s Prospect Park have repeatedly suffered injuries from fishing line and hooks left behind by fishermen. While Mute Swans are an introduced species, that doesn’t excuse the harm caused by careless anglers, and it is almost certain that Mallards and Canada Geese are suffering the same types of injuries. Obviously, enforcement of litter laws would help, but perhaps it is time to ban fishing in what is a heavily-used urban park?
Corey is a New Yorker who lived most of his life in upstate New York but has lived in Queens since 2008. He's only been birding since 2005 but has garnered a respectable life list by birding whenever he wasn't working as a union representative or spending time with his family. He lives in Forest Hills with Daisy and Desmond Shearwater. His bird photographs have appeared on the Today Show, in Birding, Living Bird Magazine, Bird Watcher's Digest, and many other fine publications. He is also the author of the American Birding Association Field Guide to the Birds of New York.
I see that all fishing in the park is catch-and-release (and I’m not surprised, I doubt the fish in that lake are good eats.) I have to admit – if it’s not for food, I really don’t see the point. You’re perfectly free to sit by the side of the lake without a rod or line and drink beer, after all.