SOS No Brainer
You might think that it's common sense for people fishing to withdraw their lines from the water if there were 11 swans in the vicinity. Unfortunately we are not all gifted with common sense, and some children just don't realise that swans cant see fishing line. This weeks entanglement is the fourth time I've had to remove line or hooks from the swans, so I have good valid reasons to request a ban or
at the very least a sign erected warning of the fishing danger to the wildlife. The entrance to the harbour is narrow and two or three fishing lines set across it is pretty well bound to snag on 11 swans should they suddenly turn into the harbour. There was an evening last summer when I checked the pier for discarded fishing tackle and was amazed to find 2 hand lines which were hitched around the bollards, and the lines right in the middle of the harbour entrance ! The really amazing thing was there was no one around - the lines had been abandoned with hooks etc still attached. The enclosed photo shows some of the tackle I have found on the smoke shed pier over the past couple of years. Many other bunches of discarded nylon line I have already disposed off. I am aware that some local old timers will argue that kids have been fishing there for many years and why stop it ? Well I can think of several reasons, but I don't want to stop peoples pastimes or pleasure, I just want them to act responsibly and do the right thing by the wildlife. Today there were dozens of locals and tourists admiring the abundance of river wildlife, many passing comments on how lovely it was to watch the swans and cygnets. Sometimes we have to make choices on what is best for wildlife and people together. The other enclosed photo is where I think a sign would be most effective to educate -what should really be a no brainer. If you want further proof of the dangers of fishing tackle then have a look at this site : http://www.fairford.org/SwanAid/swan_hazards.htm
You might think that it's common sense for people fishing to withdraw their lines from the water if there were 11 swans in the vicinity. Unfortunately we are not all gifted with common sense, and some children just don't realise that swans cant see fishing line. This weeks entanglement is the fourth time I've had to remove line or hooks from the swans, so I have good valid reasons to request a ban or
at the very least a sign erected warning of the fishing danger to the wildlife. The entrance to the harbour is narrow and two or three fishing lines set across it is pretty well bound to snag on 11 swans should they suddenly turn into the harbour. There was an evening last summer when I checked the pier for discarded fishing tackle and was amazed to find 2 hand lines which were hitched around the bollards, and the lines right in the middle of the harbour entrance ! The really amazing thing was there was no one around - the lines had been abandoned with hooks etc still attached. The enclosed photo shows some of the tackle I have found on the smoke shed pier over the past couple of years. Many other bunches of discarded nylon line I have already disposed off. I am aware that some local old timers will argue that kids have been fishing there for many years and why stop it ? Well I can think of several reasons, but I don't want to stop peoples pastimes or pleasure, I just want them to act responsibly and do the right thing by the wildlife. Today there were dozens of locals and tourists admiring the abundance of river wildlife, many passing comments on how lovely it was to watch the swans and cygnets. Sometimes we have to make choices on what is best for wildlife and people together. The other enclosed photo is where I think a sign would be most effective to educate -what should really be a no brainer. If you want further proof of the dangers of fishing tackle then have a look at this site : http://www.fairford.org/SwanAid/swan_hazards.htm
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