Wildlife rescue group opposes new angling club plans

A wildlife rescue organisation said it was "disappointed" that plans for a new angling club were being considered by councillors just days after a cygnet was found with a fishing hook in its beak.

Brambles Wildlife Rescue (BWR) said the injured bird was discovered in the lake at Stanley Park in Blackpool on Friday.

Stating that there had been an increase in fishing-related wildlife deaths recently, BWR suggested now was "not the time" to be encouraging more angling in the lake.

A Blackpool Council spokesperson said the potential angling club would act to set up rules about fishing responsibly and prevent water birds from getting entangled in lines.

Despite existing restrictions around fishing on the lake, BWR founder Mel Greenhalgh said some anglers were operating outside of the permitted areas.

She said: "The wildlife officer is only working Monday to Friday, so the angling community are choosing to go at weekends when it's a free-for-all - they can fish wherever they want and it's not really being enforced."

Greenhalgh said there had been three fishing-line related deaths in as many months; in a typical year there was only one.

While stressing that she supported responsible fishing, she said "this is not the time for the council to be thinking about implementing a fishing club and therefore encouraging more fishing on the park when there are more significant deaths this summer".

She added: "Voluntary groups like ourselves are left to pick up the pieces."

A spokesperson for Blackpool Council said: "We're exploring the potential of establishing an angling club at Stanley Park, to be run in partnership with the park's well-established Friends Of group."

They acknowledged that "not all [anglers] are experienced or fishing responsibly, and there have been instances of water birds getting entangled in lines.

"The potential club will set rules to help limit this from happening, as well as to help keep the lakeside litter-free and well cared for. It won't mean the existing fishing area is extended though."

The local authority spokesperson said the park's diverse wildlife - including herons, geese, moorhens, mallards, swans and fish such as carp, roach, perch and pike - was greatly valued.

"We've recently brought in an experienced in-house wildlife officer to our team," they said.

"He is working with experts, volunteers and community groups to ensure habitats, flora, fauna, and creatures are all supported and protected across our green spaces."

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