I HATE selfish fishermen

Greyduster, I am glad to hear it.

I live by the sea. Our spaniel got a hook connected to a bit of line in her mouth, one beach walk. I couldn't get it out. £500

Most rivers that are frequented by serious anglers are policed by water bailiffs who will make spot checks on licences. I believe some canal banks are too. Small stillwaters are managed by the owners - you can’t get on without showing a licence and buying a fishing ticket. Even on huge reservoirs like Ladybower the fisheries management team patrol the water and it’s not unusual to see a boat put in to the bank and spot checks being carried out if something doesn’t look quite kosher, or if an angler has reported someone using the wrong type of fishing tackle, or banned methods. Other than that, any other river that holds fish is fair game. Basically, serious anglers “police” each other. It’s not just a sport, it’s a community.

Is there any possible way commercial, or hobby fishing may be policed?

I know this is a pretty old thread, recently resurrected, but as an angler, I feel the need to - if you’ll forgive the pun - wade in here. What happened to the dog is absolutely unforgivable. Someone upthread said “anglers are just hobbyists who don’t give a s**t”. Please don’t tar all anglers with the same brush. Sport and leisure angling is a multimillion pound industry and the people who spend good money on it are careful and responsible anglers. They love and value the environment they pursue their sport in, and value the kit they use which is specialised and costly these days. Licences and fishing permits are expensive (the Environment agency would lose a hell of a lot of revenue if people suddenly gave up fishing). I can spend anything up to thirty pounds for a day’s fly fishing, in addition to the cost of the licence. Fly by night anglers don’t want to spend that kind of money and they are the ones who don’t give a s**t. They are in the minority. I can’t speak for beach anglers or boat fishermen as beach and sea angling is not regulated and does not require a licence or a permit. Anyone can do it anywhere with stuff they buy in a seaside tackle shop on a day out. It’s cheap, so they may well just leave it behind.

An ecologist who gave a lecture where we live said that we would never treat the sky in the way we treat the sea. In other words, anything in the sea is out of sight.

Such handsome dogs escaped.

As an aside, I had a chat with the vet here today, and she recommended a special kind of muzzle for dogs who eat everything on walks. She said a lot of farmers use them here. It seems a sensible solution, so I'm going to check them out on my return and order one.

Thank you Dennis2, and others. That's very kind of you. Sorry, I didn't see this thread earlier.

Update is ... the young man is back on his beach here in France, scavenging as usual. No fish hooks luckily this time, just kelp and a few crabs. He doesn't realise the ordeal he went through, and the stress it caused! The vet was amazing. 🙏

It's a shame that some anglers are so inconsiderate. Other creatures die due to their careless attitude.

Here he is with his brother enjoying the afternoon sunshine yesterday!

Well this morning, litter picking on the beach I found the most disgusting thing. A big lump of rotting fish in a plastic jar which had been pierced with holes.

I asked a fisherman on the pier what he thought it was and apparently it's called 'chumming'. Dropped into the sea where you're going to fish it attracts fish to the area.

More plastic in the sea and very attractive to dogs I should think.

We live next to a small river in East Anglia and own the fishing rights to approx 200 yards of river bank which has a public footpath running along it. For the first few years I would clear up all the rubbish which some anglers were too lazy to pick up. One hot summer's day DH climbed up a tree and removed a carrier bag tied with fishing line to one of the branches, we opened the bag to find the innards of a fish which someone had caught, killed (not allowed) and had left the innards for us to deal with. That's it I said we are going to stop the fishing. After consulting our solicitor we put up signs saying "No Fishing" and there are times during the 10 years since we have had some nasty experiences. Most anglers have moved on, but some are so arrogant and have threatened us. I have spoken to many anglers who are reasonable and I am always polite but firm and will explain the rules to those who cannot be bothered to read the fishing licence information. We do get some peace and quiet during the closed season for three months.

The deeply irritating thing for me is that these are man (they're mostly men) who obviously enjoy a day in the great outdoors and nature and yet are happy to leave it in a worse state after their visit.

I know it's an old thread but this is worth repeating.

Why? It's their planet too, their and their children's future.

I hope the dog has had no lasting problems, escaped.

So sorry to hear about your poor boy escaped and hope he, and you, recover well from the ordeal.

I litter pick on the beach every day and also volunteer for a marine conservation group and plastic free charity.

Every single day I find fishing detritus. Cat food pouches (obviously used as bait), lines, hooks, weights, bait bags and nets. Also all the other rubbish they just leave after a day out - vapes, cider cans and bottles, tea bags (often contain plastic), sandwich packets.

The deeply irritating thing for me is that these are man (they're mostly men) who obviously enjoy a day in the great outdoors and nature and yet are happy to leave it in a worse state after their visit.

I'm so glad your poor dog is doing so well and wish that nobody had to suffer this in future.

Poor dog Poor fish shouldn’t ever be called a sport
As this is 6 months old thread hopefully the dog is a lot better and up and running again

I’m truly sorry to hear about your dog’s ordeal. It’s heartbreaking that something as trivial as abandoned fishing gear can lead to such serious, life-threatening situations.

Yes and also a picture of the seal with a plastic throw toy wedged around its poor neck.

Astitchintime

I'd be printing that X-ray and distributing amounts the anglers where you live escaped - that might just remind them how irresponsible they are when not taking home their litter or disposing of unwanted fishing tackle correctly.

Pleased that you lovely boy is home and on the mend.

I think that's a good idea, since it seems these people discarded their fishing paraphernalia without a care.

AMONGST!!

I'd be printing that X-ray and distributing amounts the anglers where you live escaped - that might just remind them how irresponsible they are when not taking home their litter or disposing of unwanted fishing tackle correctly.

Pleased that you lovely boy is home and on the mend.

I had a lurcher. They are particularly thin skinned'

How to stop fishers who lack consciences is an important question. First of all , bad fishing behaviour should be criminalised, then adequately policed, when possible. Also we need a huge campaign of advertising/ education by the media.

Airing the scandal of fishing gear on Gransnet is a good thing to do.

I am glad your pet is recovering from a horrible experience. I have just watched a piece on the news about litter on beaches and the damage that it can do to animals on land and when it gets washed out to sea. It's sickening really.

Yes, angler, that's the word. I think I spotted the culprit this morning with his rod glistening in the sunshine. But who knows?

No disrespect meant to fishermen at sea, though they too have a responsibility to marine life.

It's a shame the person responsible can't be traced and given a bill for the treatment.
Glad all is well, now, though

That will have been left by a amateur angler,or a holiday maker,not a fisherman. Fishermen go to sea and risk their lives, anglers are usually just hobbyists who don't give a shit.