July 12.
The report that discarded fishing tackle may have caused a disaster at
the osprey eyrie at Loch Garten shows the great danger angling poses to
wildlife (July 7).
This is not the only incident of an osprey bringing a fish tangled in
nylon line back to the nest. I believe the last time wardens retrieved
the tackle before any damage was done.
Incidents at high-profile sites such as a protected eyrie are only the
tip of the iceberg. In my angling days I often found dead birds
entangled in line or impaled on hooks. When fly fishing I occasionally
lost casts which could not be recovered and also lost fish through lines
breaking or the fish getting into underwater obstructions.
Trapped or injured fish become easy prey for birds, aquatic mammals,
and larger fish. These easy meals cause a slow death when ingested by
predators.
It is not unknown for bats and swallows to take flies as they are
cast. I have caught and released both.
Even the best angler loses hooks and line. All discarded tackle is a
potential danger to wildlife. Angling is a bloodsport which puts at risk
far more than the prey species.
John F. Robins,
Organising Secretary,
Animal Concern,
62 Old Dumbarton Road,
Glasgow.
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