‘Is angling harmful? How would you like a hook in your lip?’

Have your say on these MetroTalk topics and more in the comments.

In defense of angling

‘Anglers love their catch.’
Researchers say angling is harmful to fish, even when they are released (Metro, Fri).

Anglers care deeply for their catch and have no wish to inflict undue harm on such wonderful creatures.

The greatest pleasure is derived from seeing the catch swimming off healthily and safely.

Anglers, along with boaters etc, are the eyes and ears of our waterways and usually the first to flag up incidents of pollution and fish kill.

Indeed, the Angling Trust and its team of solicitors in Fish Legal, a not-for-profit organisation funded by anglers such as myself, fight pollution incidents on behalf of everyone. I would encourage all anglers to join.

Angling is a joy to many and allows us to connect with nature and is recognised as having many therapeutic benefits by the NHS. David Taylor-Bills, Stourbridge

But, if the shoe was on the other fin…

‘How would you like a hook in your lip?’
Is angling harmful? It’s a no-brainer. Just stick a hook in an angler’s lip and ask. A fish will indicate pain by attempting to free itself. If these

Was Nigel Farage’s milkshake incident that serious?

‘Had it not been politician no one would care’
For once, I wholeheartedly agree with Nigel Farage, there is a ‘two-tier’ justice system (Metro, Tue).

The woman who threw a milkshake at him got a suspended sentence. Had it not been a politician, the incident would not have attracted more than five minutes of police time and would never have gone to court. Daniel Blamont, London

animals were armed to the teeth, anglers would take up knitting. Marcia, West Yorkshire

Is this why men don’t open up? This Is Not Right

‘Are we so lacking empathy?’
As part of the This Is Not Right campaign highlighting violence committed by men against women and girls, Metro published an article that listed women killed by men.

In the comments online, many people asked, ‘What about men?’ and some pointed out that ‘more men die by suicide, where’s their article?’

Well, Metro ran such an article, with a focus on the construction industry (Metro.co.uk, Tue) and some people tried to dismiss the topic. ‘Boo hoo hoo, cry me a lake,’ said one.

Are we so lacking in empathy that when someone says, ‘I am struggling’, the response is to laugh, mock or tell them others have it worse?

We say we want men to open up but when they do, the hostility and cynicism that surfaces shows why so many stay silent. Sophie, via Metro.co.uk

Labour promised the WASPI women justice – until the got in government

‘My wife was one of them’
I am disgusted at the betrayal of the women recommended compensation by the parliamentary ombudsman for the extra years they had to work when their pension age was raised from 60 to 65 (it’s now 66) without being properly told. My wife was one of them.

This Labour party promised them justice – until they got in government. Shame on them. William Alvey, Southport

‘The WASPIs paid their taxes’
Chancellor Rachel Reeves says she is not allowing compensation to Waspi women – named after their campaign group Women Against State Pension Inequality – as it would have to come out of taxes. Who does she think filled the pot with taxes and national insurance but these women Den, Dartford

A fine isn’t the only penalty you pay when drop a cigarette down the drain…

‘Cigarette butts eventually poison the seas’
Further to the report about the man who had to cough up £833 after failing to pay a £100 fine for dropping a cigarette butt in Bromley (Metro, Fri).

Society is paying for millions of carelessly discarded cigarette butts that end up washing into the water system and clogging drains (not to mention the tons into landfill).

This adds to flooding, as cigarette detritus does not easily disintegrate. When it does, eventually, end up in the oceans, it adds to the masses of microplastics poisoning the seas and the sea creatures. Marcia McGrail, via email