‘No fishing’ reminder for Warrior Drive pond

Published Thursday, 17th September 2020

People are being reminded that fishing is not permitted at a Hartlepool wildlife area.

The pond near Warrior Drive at Seaton Carew was created as a visual feature and wildlife haven – not as a fishing area - when the nearby houses were built, but since then people have added fish to the pond and removed the no fishing signs.

New signs are being put in place to remind people of the prohibition on fishing, for the following reasons:

  • The pond supports a number of wildfowl species and the birds get caught up in discarded fishing line.
  • The increasing number of people around the pondside deters waterfowl from nesting and can also result in the accidental destruction of nests.
  • Stocking small areas of water like this with fish harms the aquatic plants and invertebrates in the pond.

Adding to the problem, people going to the pond to fish are parking their vehicles on the green area surrounding the pond. 

Sarah Scarr, Hartlepool Borough Council’s Heritage and Countryside Manager, said: “We have had a number of concerns raised by local residents about fishing at the pond and would like to remind people that the pond was created as a visual feature and wildlife haven, not a fishing area, and that fishing is not permitted.

“If people want to fish, we are happy for them to use the ponds in Ward Jackson Park and Rossmere Park during the parks’ normal opening hours.”