Discarded fishing gear harming wildlife

Thu, 25 Jul 2013

Anglers are being asked to take care with their fishing gear which if discarded can cause pain and suffering to wildlife.

A warden at West Baldwin on Saturday found a heron and a duck tangled together with line, with fishing hooks stuck in their mouths and feet.

To make their situation worse they were being attacked by crows.

The heron was rescued by the MSPCA but the other bird couldn’t be saved.

The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture is asking anglers never to discard tackle or drop litter.

Damaged line should be taken home and cut into small pieces or burnt when disposing of it.