ANGLERS are being urged to stop fishing in part of Canvey lake after a swan was found dead tangled up in fishing line.

Distressed residents called Canvey councillor Dave Blackwell after they spotted the dead bird near the Oysterfleet pub.

He told the council’s park ranger, who used a boat to recover the swan yesterday. It was found covered in discarded fishing tackle.

Mr Blackwell said the area is a designated no fishing zone.

He said: “It was completely covered in fishing tackle. It probably died a painful death. It is a no fishing zone. Anglers know that. Residents constantly call the police out.”

Mr Blackwell said he wanted something put in place to stop people fishing at that end of the lake.

“It is a constant problem down there. We are determined to get this fishing stopped down that end. We will put obstructions into the lake to stop people fishing, poles driven in right across the front to stop people fishing there.

“It will safeguard the wildlife from these mindless kids who just don’t seem to care. They can fish in the other end of the lake where there is plenty of room.”

Dave Hedges, south essex area manager for the RSPB and chairman of the Canvey Lake restoration committee, said the project was aiming to create different zones in the lake.

He said: “Litter can cause wildlife a problem. They ingest it and hooks and lines get tangled up in their digestive system and can be fatal. A simple moment of tossing something away, be it line and tackle or a sweet wrapper can, unbeknown to the person, cause distress to wildlife. I would encourage everyone to take their rubbish home with them.”