4 reasons why lead fishing tackle ban should be opposed

[MagikSmallie]

First let me say I'm NOT in favor of a federal ban. But you guys are completely missing the point. Nobody is even saying that people are in danger of lead poisoning due to lead from sinkers. It's BIRDS that are in danger. And for some species, especially in certain areas, the threat is well documented. Some biologists believe that up to 50% of common loons that die during breeding season die from lead poising, due to ingesting lead fishing weights.

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!

[Mastersbassclub]

I guess I'm a "triple threat" to society and the environment.

1. I fish with lead weights and sinkers.

2. I live in an old house that has asbestos siding.

3. My house contains lead paint.

[kydonky]

I hope EVERY house they have ever visited, every hotel, motel they have ever stayed in, etc, etc, etc. EVERY TOY that they've purchased that may have been made in China has been thoroughly inspected.

The chances of Lead poisoning from the lead in fishing equipment is extremely.......EXTREMELY remote.

Old houses, hotels, toys, etc, etc have a significant risk factor. Houses with old paint, especially windows, where paint is "sanded off" by opening and closing the windows is MUCH more a risk.

So......with your great concern for lead poisoning, I surely hope you're doing all you can by inspecting every dwelling they may ever visit.

Later,

Geo

This opens another can of fishin worms. I cannot find any tackle made in the good old USA including lead sinkers and jigs.

As far as lead tackle goes, I am not so much concerned about the cost as I am about performance. To get similar weight from steel weights they have to be almost double in size.

Maybe someone can develop an alloy with lead and stainless steel that will help with the weight/size issue.

[walkeraviator]

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!

Actually the Loon data is REAL scientific evidence... 50% of Loon fatalities is lead poisoning... with that said.. I have no knowledge of loons in Kentucky or a majority of states in teh south or west. So why should we be forced to follow a law that protects a bird i will never see?? Shad introduction once destroyed McNeely lake, and using shad as bait is prohibited... but that doesnt mean the whole state should be banned from using shad as bait...

This law like most laws should be left up to the states to enforce. 10th ammendment... that is all...

[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]

Actually the Loon data is REAL scientific evidence... 50% of Loon fatalities is lead poisoning... with that said.. I have no knowledge of loons in Kentucky or a majority of states in teh south or west. So why should we be forced to follow a law that protects a bird i will never see?? Shad introduction once destroyed McNeely lake, and using shad as bait is prohibited... but that doesnt mean the whole state should be banned from using shad as bait...

This law like most laws should be left up to the states to enforce. 10th ammendment... that is all...

WRONG! 6% of Loon mortality is from Lead Poisoning.

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

[MagikSmallie]

WRONG! 6% of Loon mortality is from Lead Poisoning.

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

Granted other studies may show higher percentages. They are typically region specific but as a whole it is no where near 50%.

[Dave Stewart]

I am NOT going to get political. BUT, I don't understand why getting political is a problem. This is a fishing forum and I understand that. However, is this not a political and fishing related topic? I don't understand that when Politics affects fishing or that when the two become intertwined such as this particular topic. Why shouldn't politics be discussed, it is afterall politics thats driving this topic to begin with. an earlier thread on this same topic was locked becuase of political discussions. I think that is obsurd. If the political discussion has nothing to do with fishing then fine its not appropriate. However in this case I feel politics is completely appropirate to discuss, especially when it directly affects and invovles fishing. you can't ignore the reality of the situation by locking a thread and closing off discussions, thats what this website is about...discussion..primarily of fishing but when politics gets involved as it clearly has here then it SHOULD be discussed.

There will absolutely be no discussions on this board containing references to DEMS vs REPUBS...etc...etc....take that to the Off Topics Board.

Now you can discuss all you want the pros and cons of lead in fishing tackle and ask for support for or against the proposed ban as long as you keep it within the board rules...no name calling etc...

[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

[MagikSmallie]

There will absolutely be no discussions on this board containing references to DEMS vs REPUBS...etc...etc....take that to the Off Topics Board.

Now you can discuss all you want the pros and cons of lead in fishing tackle and ask for support for or against the proposed ban as long as you keep it within the board rules...no name calling etc...

I don't recall any dems vs repub comments or name calling in the previous thread..I'll go back a re-read it. I personally made comments about specific leaders/individuals but didn't reference any one political group nor did I or anyone else name call...(that I am aware of)...I will re-read the post. but I was almost certain that the thread maintained the rules of the board.

[GeoFisher]

I did, and I will be MORE careful in the future.

I love to get into it on the OT board, but try to keep if off of here . I must have slipped, and smacked my head that day.

Later,

Geo

[Dave Stewart]

I see a lot of percentages referencing that ingestion of lead weights has caused "x" percentage of the deaths of the loons, but what is the percentage of the loon population as a whole that is dying from lead ingestion...???

Just as a note, we have plenty of loons here on Ky/Barkley and seem to be getting mroe and more every year.