Anglers have been left utterly perplexed by the local council's decision to implement a permanent fishing ban on a popular lake in order to create what they have called a "Biodiversity Hub" in a move that has left the lake’s regulars frustrated and angry.
North East Derbyshire District Council recently chose not to renew the fishing rights held by Clay Cross Angling Association at Wingerworth Lido as part of this bewildering strategy, meaning anglers who have fished the water for decades now face the prospect of a significant fine simply for wetting a line.
YOU CAN FIND A LINK TO THE PETITION HERE...
As anglers, we know only too well that we are often the first line of defence and the true protectors of the aquatic environment and without us, many lakes and rivers suffer as a direct consequence. It isn’t just the fish that benefit, as anglers generally improve the surrounding habitat to promote better fishing, which in turn encourages birds, invertebrates, and a wide range of flora and fauna to flourish.
Ironically, this is exactly what a "Biodiversity Hub" is supposed to achieve, leaving many to question what meaningful improvements the council believes it can deliver by removing angling altogether. As a direct consequence of the imminent ban, local angler James Duffy of Big Duffs Fishing has taken it upon himself to try to have the ban overturned.
"I have personally fished this lake for the last 13 years, and I was incredibly disappointed when I first heard the council had taken the decision to remove the fishing rights," James told us.
"When I first started fishing the lake, it was unrecognisable compared to how it is today. It was completely choked with weed and, not only was it unpleasant to look at, the wildlife using the lake was almost non-existent."
"It is thanks to the hard work of the local angling club that the Wingerworth Lido now looks and fishes as well as it does. Our worry is that, like many council-led projects, the lake will decline again over the coming years," he added.
Anglers are only too aware of the benefits fishing has on well-being, and affordable local lakes like this one are the perfect places for people to enjoy the sport. With the ever-increasing cost of fishing and declining participation among juniors, venues such as Wingerworth Lido are vital for championing angling and encouraging new generations of anglers into the sport we are all so passionate about.
James went on to tell us:
"The worrying thing for me is the number of other anglers and clubs who have reached out since I started the petition. This isn’t a single-case scenario, it seems to be happening on community lakes all over the country, many of which are now suffering from pollution, fish deaths, and a general decline in health since fishing was banned."
"If we continue to take these community type waters away from the current users and the next generation, what will be left as a result doesn't bear thinking about"
A spokesperson for the council has said it recognised the concerns raised by local people but that the ban was "a vital step in promoting the area as a biodiversity hub - a safe space for wildlife to thrive".
Charles Jardine, a prominent angler and spokesman for the Countryside Alliance, welcomed the petition and branded the council’s decision “short-sighted and illogical”.
Mr Jadine said: “I am baffled by this bizarre decision and the extraordinary process by which it has come about. Angling naturally creates ‘biodiversity hubs’ and wildlife thrives thanks to the dedicated efforts of anglers. I sincerely hope the council reach out to genuine conservationists in the angling community, realise their error and reverse the decision quickly”.
YOU CAN FIND A LINK TO THE PETITION HERE...
