British officials are considering a drastic move to help save local waterfowl.
The city council in Dawlish, a seaside resort town in southern England, could completely ban fishing in the town brook. As the Teignmouth Post reports, a special license is currently needed to fish in the brook, but councillors have voted to bring up a full and outright ban.
Several waterfowl in the brook, including a pair of black swans, have been injured by fishing lines, leading to the proposed ban. Until a decision is made, the council has asked residents to stop fishing there.
When done responsibly, fishing can be a safe hobby and a good way to get out and enjoy nature. It can even help reduce populations of invasive fish species.
Unfortunately, too often, it is done in a way that is dangerous to other animals and the local ecosystem.
According to a 2022 study, 2% of fishing gear globally ends up polluting waterways. Although that doesn't sound like much, it adds up to 14 billion hooks and enough fishing line to circle the planet 18 times.
TCD Picks » Upway Spotlight
💡Upway makes it easy to find discounts of up to 60% on premium e-bike brands
Not only does that gear add to the hundreds of trillions of pieces of plastic already polluting our oceans, but it can also prove deadly to other wildlife, particularly birds.
A Denver-area community came together when one of its beloved pelicans died after getting fishing line wrapped around its wing. In Canada, authorities bemoaned fishing litter after rescuing a blue heron that got entangled in fishing line. And in just a few months, in Tampa, Florida, two ospreys died from similar circumstances, in scenes that officials called "devastating but avoidable."
Fishing debris has also caused issues for seals and other marine life, and divers have found coral reefs that are completely covered with fishing line.
|
Do you think the government should ban gas-powered lawn tools? Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. |
No way 🙅 
Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
TCD Picks » Stasher Spotlight
💡Stasher's reusable food storage options make it easy and affordable to live life with less plastic
Cool Picks
