Discarded fishing tackle endangering wildlife at Basins

A WILDLIFE enthusiast who had to rescue a duck ensnared in fishing tackle at the Basins, is asking for fishing permits to be monitored more closely.

Upset resident Lucy took to social media to highlight the issue after rescuing a duck which had a fish hook caught in its beak.

Knowing her love of wildlife, a friend had contacted her to say that one of the Muscovy ducks was entangled in fishing line. After trying to see if charities Secret World or RSPCA West Hatch could attend, Lucy decided to take matters into her own hands.

She said: “This is not me judging either charity as I worked for West Hatch and I know how hard it is and how run ragged they are.

“In the end I went down and managed to get the duck into a hold to remove the hook. The poor thing was terrified and did beat my arm up a bit but that's ok, it's not its fault that it's been injured.”

After this latest incident Lucy, who asked us not to publish her surname, is calling for locals who use the Basins nature area to clear up after themselves - for the sake of the wildlife.

She said: “This can't continue. This is happening far too often. You don't need a license to fish at the Basins, there is nobody overseeing it.

“The responsibility to clean up after yourself is the responsibility of everyone who fishes down there.

“But I wonder how much has been taught to the many kids that fish down there although I'm sure there are plenty of adults who leave hooks and lines around too.”

Lucy thinks more education is needed, not just on how to fish responsibly, but also how to be respectful of the wildlife that makes the Basins its home. Two cygnets have had to be taken to RSPCA West Hatch in the last days after becoming tangled up in fishing tackle.

She added: “If we can't fish at the Basins with respect we shouldn't be fishing there at all.

“I think the time has come to seriously consider appealing to whoever needs to listen to stop fishing there all together!”

Wellington Town Council owns part of the land at the Basins with other areas belonging in private and crown estate ownership.

A spokesperson for the council said: “It is clearly very sad that this has happened and we are aware that this is not the first time that there has been such an issue.

“We would ask that anyone fishing at the Basins disposes of their lines and hooks responsibly.

“Our Open Spaces Team will be visiting the Basins regularly to check for any discarded lines and hooks and talk to people fishing down there to make sure they understand their responsibilities.

“We have also asked the Environment Agency to visit more regularly to check angling licences.

“The ponds at the Basins are in private ownership so we are not able to control how they are used but we will do what we can to make sure they are used responsibly.”