Living by the River Wandle in South London, England in The United Kingdom, I frequently encounter the distressing sight of river birds, wildlife and dogs suffering from entangles and harm due to deserted fishing gear of fishing wire and lines, fish hooks and discarded fishing nets. This senseless littering from fishermen is not only inconsiderate but also poses a significant threat to the abundant wildlife in our local rivers. The River Wandle flows into The River Thames, which flows into The North Sea, when then flows into one arm of The Atlantic Ocean.

Each year, thousands of animals, including birds, seals, and dolphins and whales are injured or killed by discarded fishing line, nets, or hooks (RSPCA, 2019). This neglected fishing equipment is not only detrimental to wildlife health but also leads to significant damage to the environment. The longevity of discarded fishing gear, particularly nets made of non-biodegradable plastics, can wreak havoc on aquatic ecosystems for decades after they have been abandoned (UN Environment Programme 2006).

By making it a criminal offence to leave behind fishing gear, we can protect our precious wildlife and environment from the harms of improper disposal practices.

Please sign and share this petition to help us advocate for introducing legislation criminalising the abandonment of fishing equipment. Let's promote between us all upholding the health of our wildlife and Environment . 
Please, sign and share this petition. Thank You.