Feature Article April 29, 2004
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Did You Know That
You should replace the lead sinkers and lead-head jigs in your fishing tackle. Lead is a toxic substance and lead tackle soon will be regulated under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act.
Lead fishing sinkers and jigs are already prohibited in our National Parks and Wildlife Areas. They also were outlawed in Britain long ago and in 2004, will be prohibited in New Hampshire, Maine and New York.
The problem is that 5 million Canadian anglers who lose 4 or 5 sinkers each year will deposit about 500 tonnes of lead in our lakes and rivers --- about 18% of all lead now deposited in our environment.
The poisonous nature of lead in our waters is clear from studies of loons. In waters where there is recreational fishing, lead accounts for 22% of the loons found dead and the numbers found dead are only a percentage of the total killed by lead poisoning.
Sinkers and jigs made from other, less toxic metals are now widely available and it is time to replace fishing tackle made of lead. Regulations banning it already have been announced; consultation on the details of those regulations will begin in September. .
