RSPCA Cymru worries for wildlife as fishing litter injuries rocket over summertime

An increase in reports of animals hurt by disposed of fishing litter has actually triggered the RSPCA to provide a plain caution to brand-new and unskilled anglers.

The caution comes as the variety of calls in 2015 to the charity reporting wildlife hurt by angling litter – such as old fishing line, weights and barbed hooks – almost folded the summertime, soaring by 97%, with 186 reports in July compared to 94 in January.

The RSPCA received 1,245 calls about fishing litter throughout Wales and England throughout 2022, with around half (614 or 49.3%) of those calls made in between June and September.

In Wales there were 72 reports in 2015 – the most coming from Cardiff (15), Swansea (10) and Denbighshire (10) and Flintshire (10).

As National Fishing Month gets underway (1-31 August), the charity presumes that amidst anticipated warmer weather condition and schools separating, more individuals are using up outside activities such as fishing for the very first time.

The animal well-being charity have actually alerted that lack of experience can cause more precariously disposed of angling litter.

Concern

RSPCA senior clinical officer Evie Button said: “This seasonal, summertime leap in the variety of calls about wild animals hurt by fishing litter is a genuine cause for issue.

“Animals like swans, geese and even hedgehogs are swallowing deadly fish hooks or piercing their beaks, or their wings or legs are getting tangled up in fishing line. They’re suffering all sorts of dreadful injuries, often with awful effects.

“Our inspectors and officers are striving to rescue as much of these stricken animals as they can. Thankfully, lots of can be saved however they might need a great deal of care, treatment and rehab. Others aren’t so lucky and often their injuries are simply too serious for them to make it through.

“It’s awful for animal fans like us to see the impacts of this disposed of litter, particularly when there is such a basic service: clear up your litter – whether it’s fishing-related or basic – and take it home with you.

“We’re particularly concerned that this rise in angling litter injuries may be due to new and inexperienced anglers taking up the activity, as most experienced anglers are very responsible when it comes to wildlife and taking care of their equipment – so it’s more important than ever to get the message out there.”

In recent months in Wales, a swan was discovered with a fishing hook embedded into her skin in Mumbles whilst a duck passed away in Cardiff after fishing litter wire ended up being caught securely around the bird’s leg at Hendre Lake.

The RSPCA prompts all anglers to follow the Angling Trust’s Take 5 campaign and use the recycling scheme to deal with waste deal with and line.

Evie included: “Most anglers are really accountable when dealing with their litter, however sadly it just takes one piece of snagged or disposed of fishing line to threaten the life of an animal. Discarded line, in specific, is a horrible threat for wildlife, particularly as it can be almost undetectable.

“We’re asking all anglers to be extra cautious and make sure nothing is left behind by following our simple steps to protect the environment and wildlife from harm.”