Thoughtless disposal of fishing tackle killing wildlife

Anglers who throw their fishing tackle away without thinking of the consequences are killing wildlife, Christchurch Council has warned.

A recent example has seen a great black-backed gull whose feet had become entangled in a large fishing float and who had probably tried to bite it off, so getting its beak entangled as well. The dead bird, which had probably drowned, was found by a member of the public on Steamer Point beach and handed to the Council’s Countryside Service.

Senior Countryside Officer, Peter Holloway, said: “It’s distressing to find wildlife that have had to suffer a terrible end due to remnants of fishing tackle.  Of course we understand that tackle can get lost and broken but this recent case acts as a reminder to anglers who are out fishing this summer.

“We would ask people not to leave tackle lying about and to take any disused tackle home with them to dispose of in the correct way.”