A grisly discovery on the shoreline of Elk Lake has served as a timely reminder for visitors to be more mindful with their garbage.

When Tani West and her daughter Amy Sennett took their dogs for a quick walk on a stretch of shoreline at Elk Lake near Hamsterly Road, they were upset to find a dead cormorant washed ashore.

B次元官网网址淭hen we flipped it over and noticed that it had a fishing hook in its mouth and fishing line wrapped around its leg,B次元官网网址� said West.

The pair also discovered B次元官网网址渓ong strandsB次元官网网址� of fishing line discarded on the beach and a nearby pathway.

B次元官网网址淚 noticed that my dog was pulling something wrapped around his leg,B次元官网网址� said West. B次元官网网址淎nd then it got tangled around my legs.B次元官网网址�

To help raise awareness about how irresponsible fishing line disposal can impact wildlife, West shared a photo of the deceased bird online.

B次元官网网址淔ishermen might think it's nothing to cut a snagged line,B次元官网网址� said West. "But this bird probably struggled for a long time."

West believes the problem is not just local to Elk/Beaver Lake, and is widespread, a belief supported by comments made in response to her online post.

"It's killing wildlife out there for sure," she said,

For Victoria resident Lisa Scott, West's story brought back memories of her own experience at the Capital Regional District (CRD) park. 

Several years ago at the neighbouring Beaver Lake, in a moment she describes as B次元官网网址渄ivine interventionB次元官网网址�, Scott came to the rescue of a belted kingfisher.

A keen photographer, Scott had visited the lake to capture images of the morning fog, instead she found a kingfisher hanging by its neck from a tree.

B次元官网网址淚 looked out over the water, and there he was hanging in like a noose,B次元官网网址� she said. 

The bird was tangled in fishing line left in a tree.

B次元官网网址淚 waded out and probably got to him just in the nick of time, he didn't even bite me as he was so exhausted,B次元官网网址� said Scott.

West drove the bird home and with the help of a neighbour, carefully tried to remove the fishing line.

B次元官网网址淚t was all in his wings and around his neck, and very tight from him struggling,B次元官网网址� Scott said.

Once free, Scott returned to Beaver Lake and released the grateful kingfisher, which flew off unharmed.

She also made sure to remove the remainder of the fishing line in the tree, but the photographer says it was "very disheartening" to see how much had been discarded. 

B次元官网网址淭here was lots and lots of fishing line,B次元官网网址� said West. B次元官网网址淚 think somebody cast out into the bushes and got tangled up. I guess they just cut the line and left it there in the tree.B次元官网网址�

In response to West's social media post on Nov. 27, some residents with fishing experience have cautioned laying blame for the comorant's death squarely on the shoulders of fishermen.

One person who said they regularly fish at Elk Lake, explained the aquatic bird will often dive and try to snatch fish on the hook, resulting occasionally in accidental entanglements.

But West has no sympathy.

"I'm not sorry if it upsets them," she says. "There has to be some way around this that can make it better."

B次元官网网址淧eople need to know the end result B次元官网网址� what could happen,B次元官网网址� adds WestB次元官网网址檚 daughter Sennett.

B次元官网网址淲hen you hear about plastic pollution and its impact on birds and whales, you usually think of plastic rings around soda cans or plastic bottles. But nine times out of 10, the plastic actually is from the fishing industry.B次元官网网址�

A spokesperson for the CRD said they encourage all park users to be B次元官网网址済ood park stewards and leave no traceB次元官网网址� behind.

B次元官网网址淭he CRD bylaw enables officers to educate park users on potential harmful behaviour to people, pets and wildlife and to issue fines starting at $50 for a first offence,B次元官网网址� said a spokesperson in an emailed statement.

B次元官网网址淲e also want to remind people that a valid basic fish licence is required to fish the lakes in CRD parks."