Eric DeSerranno of St. Williams reports that compliance with the March 15 deadline for removing ice fishing huts from Long Point Bay was much better this year than in 2014. That’s good news for boaters as that reduces the risk of navigation hazards on Lake Erie once the ice disappears.

ST. WILLIAMS – There was nearly 100% compliance this winter with the March 15 deadline for removing ice fishing huts.

That’s good news for boaters who worry about navigation hazards on Long Point Bay.

Eric DeSerranno of St. Williams, a retired police officer and firefighter, took the Ministry of Natural Resources to task last spring for the large number of fishing huts that were abandoned on the bay last winter.

Several were seen bobbing on Long Point Bay after the thaw while several others were believed to be floating just beneath the surface. Last year, DeSerranno said the potential for damaged boats was high, never mind the threat to life and limb.

DeSerranno has a different perspective this year. He noted that, two weeks ago, there were about 50 huts on the bay. At least 20 were badly frozen into the ice. Several had been stripped of their identifying serial numbers – usually a reliable indicator of abandonment.

DeSerranno said things will be different this spring because the MNR has been diligent about enforcement. As of Thursday, there was one lonely hut left on the bay about two kilometres offshore from St. Williams. DeSerranno hopes it can be retrieved before it destroys someone’s boat.

Read more here: http://www.simcoereformer.ca/2015/03/19/mnr-enforces-march-15-deadline-for-removal-of-ice-huts