I
Ian Cloke
Guest
Illegal anglers who spear fish in Stanley Park lake are being warned they will hook a hefty fine.
Posters have been put up in the park after a group of youths were seen fishing with a harpoon.
And now the incident has led to Blackpool Council asking for local anglers to come forward to set up a new fishing club.
continued...
A council spokesperson said: "Fishing at Stanley Park lake is currently prohibited as we don't have a designated angling club to monitor the area and make sure everyone has a licence and obeys the rules.
"There used to be Stanley Park Angling Club but it disbanded due to a lack of interest."
Now as part of the park's multi-million pound restoration, new angling stations are going to be introduced and will be ready in the spring.
The posters in six different languages warn people that they have to have a valid rod licence to legally fish in Stanley Park lake.
Anyone breaking the rules will be fined up to ?2,500.
An Environment Agency spokesman said: "We put the warnings up with the permission of Blackpool Council and also the local police countryside and wildlife liaison officer.
"This was after a group of people were spotted using a harpoon-type implement to hook fish from the lake."
Rod licences are available from any post office or by logging into www.environment-agency.gov.uk/rodlicence Money generated from the licences funds the Environment Agency's work in managing fisheries.
l Anyone interested in forming a Stanley Park angling club should write to the council's Parks Department or contact Customer First Centre on (01253) 477477.
Posters have been put up in the park after a group of youths were seen fishing with a harpoon.
And now the incident has led to Blackpool Council asking for local anglers to come forward to set up a new fishing club.
continued...
A council spokesperson said: "Fishing at Stanley Park lake is currently prohibited as we don't have a designated angling club to monitor the area and make sure everyone has a licence and obeys the rules.
"There used to be Stanley Park Angling Club but it disbanded due to a lack of interest."
Now as part of the park's multi-million pound restoration, new angling stations are going to be introduced and will be ready in the spring.
The posters in six different languages warn people that they have to have a valid rod licence to legally fish in Stanley Park lake.
Anyone breaking the rules will be fined up to ?2,500.
An Environment Agency spokesman said: "We put the warnings up with the permission of Blackpool Council and also the local police countryside and wildlife liaison officer.
"This was after a group of people were spotted using a harpoon-type implement to hook fish from the lake."
Rod licences are available from any post office or by logging into www.environment-agency.gov.uk/rodlicence Money generated from the licences funds the Environment Agency's work in managing fisheries.
l Anyone interested in forming a Stanley Park angling club should write to the council's Parks Department or contact Customer First Centre on (01253) 477477.