4 reasons why lead fishing tackle ban should be opposed

[RoadToad]

Some biologists may BELEIVE that up to 50% of CERTAIN birds in CERTAIN areas are being killed by ;ead poisoning by lead fishing weights. However the Scientific REAL data confirms that LESS than 1% of Birds THAT DIE. are from lead poisoning, and that doesn't even consider lead poisoning FROM FISHING LURES!

Which is exactly why I don't favor a federal ban. I just think there may be instances where local bans are appropriate. It seems to affect some species a lot more than others, in particular the common loon:

"In Canada, lead sinker ingestion has been found most frequently in the Common Loon (Gavia immer), accounting for about 30% of adult mortality reported in areas of Ontario, Quebec, and the Maritime provinces where loon habitat and sport fishing overlap (Scheuhammer and Norris 1995). Canada prohibited the use of lead sinkers or jigs weighing less than 50g in national parks and national wildlife areas in 1997 (Canadian Wildlife Service 1997). In the United States, lead poisoning from ingested fishing weights has been reported in several species, including the Common Loon, Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator), Mute Swan, Tundra Swan (Cygnus columbianus), and Sandhill Crane (Grus canadensis) (Locke and Young 1973; Lockeet al.1982; Windingstadet al.1984; Bluset al. 1989; USEPA 1994). Published reports indicate that, of all the species listed, the ingestion of lead fishing weights is a particular problem in the Common Loon. In New England, lead poisoning from the ingestion of fishing sinkers has been reported as a frequent cause of death in the Common Loon, accounting for about half of the mortality reported in breeding adults (Pokras and Chafel 1992; Sidor et al. 2003)."
http://www.nwhc.usgs.gov/disease_inf...ds_sinkers.pdf

If you want to say that's not REAL data, fine, show me the real stuff. IMO it bears looking into. But to reiterate, I do NOT support a FEDERAL ban.

[MagikSmallie]

Which is exactly why I don't favor a federal ban. I just think there may be instances where local bans are appropriate. It seems to affect some species a lot more than others, in particular the common loon:

"In Canada, lead sinker ingestion has been found most frequently in the Common Loon (Gavia immer), accounting for about 30% of adult mortality reported in areas of Ontario, Quebec, and the Maritime provinces where loon habitat and sport fishing overlap (Scheuhammer and Norris 1995). Canada prohibited the use of lead sinkers or jigs weighing less than 50g in national parks and national wildlife areas in 1997 (Canadian Wildlife Service 1997). In the United States, lead poisoning from ingested fishing weights has been reported in several species, including the Common Loon, Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator), Mute Swan, Tundra Swan (Cygnus columbianus), and Sandhill Crane (Grus canadensis) (Locke and Young 1973; Lockeet al.1982; Windingstadet al.1984; Bluset al. 1989; USEPA 1994). Published reports indicate that, of all the species listed, the ingestion of lead fishing weights is a particular problem in the Common Loon. In New England, lead poisoning from the ingestion of fishing sinkers has been reported as a frequent cause of death in the Common Loon, accounting for about half of the mortality reported in breeding adults (Pokras and Chafel 1992; Sidor et al. 2003)."
http://www.nwhc.usgs.gov/disease_inf...ds_sinkers.pdf

If you want to say that's not REAL data, fine, show me the real stuff. IMO it bears looking into. But to reiterate, I do NOT support a FEDERAL ban.

http://www.nwhc.usgs.gov/publication...2JCF.CLE01.pdf