THERE are fears for wildlife at a beauty spot in the Malvern Hills after a group of people were caught fishing there.
A Malvern resident, who asked to remain anonymous, was walking near Earnslaw Quarry when she noticed a fishing rod.
Upon closer inspection, she spotted three people fishing, despite it being banned in the quarry.
Just a few minutes after the group had left, the woman said wildlife appeared, which she believes had been scared away.
“The wildlife had been frightened off,” she said. “All these ducks appeared after they had left, as well as fish and then there was a heron.”
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She questioned why the group appeared to have missed or ignored signage that explains fishing is prohibited in the area.
The matter has been reported to the Malvern Hills Trust, which is responsible for maintaining the Malvern Hills and commons.
“The sign is quite clear,” the woman said. “It’s hard to believe they wouldn’t have known the sign was there.
“It’s a beautiful spot, it’s really tranquil.
“It just feels like rules are being trashed and the tranquillity and peace of the place is being disturbed.”
What are the rules around fishing in the Malvern Hills?
When contacted by the Gazette, the Malvern Hills Trust quoted its fishing policy, which states: “Waterbodies under the jurisdiction of the Malvern Hills Trust at which fishing is permitted are the Mill Pond, Hollybed Common (Castlemorton residents only) and the River Severn at Clevelode (Malvern Hills Trust permit holders only).”
A spokesperson for the trust added: “Therefore, fishing at any other waterbodies is not permitted and is against the trust’s byelaws. This would include Earnslaw Quarry.”