Oppose the proposed Federal lead ban in fishing tackle?

[DarkSkies]

Sent in by Finchaser, thanks!

Are you aware of the proposed ban?
Is it really important?
Will it affect the environment in a positive sense?

If you want to learn more, learn for yourself.
Click on the links for additional info.






Oppose the Proposed Federal Ban on Lead in Fishing Tackle
Submit your comments to the Environmental Protection Agency opposing the proposed ban on lead in fishing tackle (http://capwiz.com/keepamericafishing/utr/1/CQBENCHDTB/FEGLNCHFOO/5716814816)
The Situation
On August 23, 2010, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was petitioned by the Center for Biological Diversity and four other organizations to ban all lead in fishing tackle under the Toxic Substances Control Act. This includes sinkers, jigs, weighted fly line, and components that contain lead such as brass and ballast in a wide variety of lures, including spinners, stick baits and more.
It is important that anglers send your comments now (http://capwiz.com/keepamericafishing/utr/1/CQBENCHDTB/KBPWNCHFOP/5716814816)! Let your voice be heard!
On August 27, 2010, the EPA denied the petition for ammunition but maintained the petition to ban lead fishing tackle. Supporters of hunting and the shooting sports have been successful in having ammunition excluded from this ban.
The petition (http://capwiz.com/keepamericafishing/utr/1/CQBENCHDTB/OPRWNCHFOQ/5716814816) was presented with the aim of reducing bird deaths caused by the ingestion of lead sinkers and jigheads; however, a study conducted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service found that less than one percent of all waterfowl and other birds such as eagles are killed by lead sinker ingestion.
The reasons for opposing the ban are:

The data does not support a federal ban on lead sinkers used for fishing. In general, bird populations, including loons and other waterfowl species, are subject to much more substantial threats such as habitat loss through shoreline development. Any lead restrictions need to be based on sound science that supports the appropriate action for a particular water body or species.

Depending on the alternative metal and current prevailing raw material costs, non-lead fishing tackle products can cost from six to 15 times more than lead products. Non-lead products may not be as available and most do not perform as well. Mandatory transitioning to non-lead fishing tackle would require significant changes from both the industry and anglers.

A federal ban of the use of lead in fishing tackle will have a significant negative impact on recreational anglers and fisheries resources, but a negligible impact on waterfowl populations.

America's 60 million anglers generate over $45 billion in retail sales with a $125 billion impact on the nation's economy creating employment for over one million people.
Anglers are encouraged to support voluntary angler education programs for the use of lead sinkers and should urge state and federal fish and wildlife agencies to do the same.
How You Can Help
The EPA has opened the petition for public comments. Click here to (http://capwiz.com/keepamericafishing/utr/1/CQBENCHDTB/NRHHNCHFOR/5716814816)submit your comments to the EPA and your members of Congress. (http://capwiz.com/keepamericafishing/utr/1/CQBENCHDTB/FIAHNCHFOS/5716814816)

Thank you for doing your part to KeepAmericaFishing (http://capwiz.com/keepamericafishing/utr/1/CQBENCHDTB/JTPONCHFOT/5716814816)!

[storminsteve]

Comments sent, thanks for posting.

[plugaholic]

I sent that in too, told them I thought the ban was a waste of money as we are not eating lead, and if it gets lost, it sits on the bottom, not hurting anyone.

[Doublerunner]

I am leaning the other way on this. Lead is a problem IMO. Yes it may be minimal compared to other issues. I just returned from NH where I witnessed a dead loon who had ingested a lead sinker. Is one death okay? 2, 3, 4? Who are we to say that some deaths are "okay" so long as our fun is not impacted

I also believe that lead on the bottom in large concentrations is a problem. There are many areas where the flow from those areas can lead to contaminated water supplies. Think of the cape cod canal. The bottom there is loaded with tons of lead. It does not just sit there harmlessly. And there are many reports on cape cod of areas with high cancer rates. This may also have to do with the former military bases there but who really knows

I don't say this to cause a fight or issue with any one here. I would just like to believe that we can come up with viable alternatives that are not deadly to people and animals

Sorry to dis-agree. And I know there's lead in everything we use to fish. Not just sinkers but hooks, swivels, line, etc. Just seems like in today's age we could come up with a better alternative

[cowherder]

That's a good point doublerunner. I don't know what to think either. There is a place in the back of the raritan bay in NJ, Laurence Harbor. The jetty there where the Morgan inlet is, is made of lead. What I mean by that is that they used a lot of lead waste to create it. It's been there for years and no one ever died fishing there. That being true, there are a lot of kids who get sick from eating lead paint chips. So where do we draw the line?:don't know why:

[basshunter]

There are so many restrictions on fishing that in another few years there won't be a need to worry about using lead sinkers.

[finchaser]

I lean both ways,I think it should be banned for certain uses like sinkers and such, and not totally banned but have guide lines for other applications.

Plug builders and lure manufactures would have major issues weighting their products as lead alternatives are not usually as heavy for a given size such as belly weights. just my 2 cents.

If this did go through you can bet they would target hunters next,there is no stopping big brother:2flip:

[Doublerunner]

I lean both ways,I think it should be banned for certain uses like sinkers and such, and not totally banned but have guide lines for other applications.

Plug builders and lure manufactures would have major issues weighting their products as lead alternatives are not usually as heavy for a given size such as belly weights. just my 2 cents.

If this did go through you can bet they would target hunters next,there is no stopping big brother:2flip:

Agreed.