Riga residents seek fishing ban at Māras pond to protect birds
Riga residents have launched a signature campaign to ban fishing in the city's Māras pond, where abandoned fishing lines and hooks threaten a beloved swan family and other waterfowl. Latvian Television reports on the initiative.
A group of Riga residents has started collecting signatures in an effort to secure a complete ban on fishing at Māras pond, citing concerns for the safety of local waterfowl.
Threat to birds
According to Latvian Television, a family of swans that has become popular among locals, along with other waterfowl living at the pond, regularly face danger from fishing lines and hooks left behind by anglers. Such abandoned tackle can prove fatal to the birds.
Residents take action
The activists behind the petition argue that since birds cannot speak for themselves, people must act as their voice and take responsibility for protecting their lives. Through the signature-collecting campaign, they hope to persuade the relevant authorities to introduce an official ban on fishing at Māras pond.
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