Anti-Fishing Groups Attack Again with Petition for Lead Ban

Anti-fishing groups once again are attacking recreational angling by trying to force a ban on lead fishing tackle.

On Nov. 16, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was again petitioned by the Center for Biological Diversity and two other groups, requesting that the agency regulate the manufacture and sale of lead fishing tackle of certain sizes and uses under the toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). If approved, such regulation could result in a ban of lead sinkers, jigs, and other popular types of fishing equipment.

In that skirmish, more than 43,000 anglers sent their objections to EPA through Keep America Fishing. 
EPA dismissed a similar petition in November 2010.  The agency indicated that the “petitioners have not demonstrated that the requested rule is necessary to protect against an unreasonable risk of injury to health or the environment, as required by the TSCA.”

Gordon Robertson of the American Sportfishing Association says this:

“The sportfishing community is once again asking the EPA to rule on the side of scientific fish and wildlife population management and dismiss this unwarranted petition.

 “Such regulations will have a significant, negative impact on recreational anglers and the sportfishing industry, yet the petitioners lack credible science to back such a far-reaching request. They claim lead is threatening loons across the nation, but several studies, including one by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, have shown that loon populations are either stable or increasing throughout most of their range.”

Robertson adds, "This further demonstrates the need for a legislative solution to this growing threat to recreational fishing. In response, the co-chairs of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus have introduced the Hunting, Fishing and Recreational Shooting Sports Protection Act, which would prevent an overreaching ban of lead fishing tackle.

“With anti-fishing organizations trying to over-regulate fishing using whatever means they can, legislation is needed to protect traditional fishing tackle and ammunition from unjustified bans that will harm the economy and reduce participation in outdoor activities."

ASA will soon provide suggested comments at Keep America Fishing.

 Two of the three petitioners in this second petition also are engaged in a lawsuit against EPA’s dismissal of the original petition to ban lead fishing tackle.

“The petitioners are taking advantage of our federal government, ignoring the decision that the EPA made just a year ago and working around the ongoing litigation that they filed shortly after that decision,” says Robertson.

“This is a gaming of the system and ASA urges the EPA to deny the most recent petition and asks all anglers to voice their support for the Hunting, Fishing and Recreational Shooting Sports Protection Act.”

Activist Angler position: No scientific evidence exists to support a ban on lead fishing tackle, and I believe that anti-fishing groups use this issue to try to force us off the water. But I would like to see industry move away from lead in fishing tackle. I use tungsten almost exclusively and find it far superior to lead for a number of reasons. Yes, it is a little more expensive.

CSC Members Move to Protect Lead Fishing Tackle

Members of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC) have introduced legislation to keep the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency from banning lead fishing tackle and ammunition.

“It’s always important to find a common-sense balance between protecting the rights of hunters, anglers and outdoorsmen and protecting our environment and wildlife habitats for future generations,” said Rep. Mike Ross of Arkansas. 

“There is no credible scientific evidence that demonstrates traditional ammunition and fishing tackle pose any threat to human health or wildlife population and this legislation is needed to permanently address this issue once and for all.  I’m pleased to join this bipartisan effort and to work to stop the TSCA (Toxic Substances Control Act) petition, which is the most recent in a long string of attacks on our cherished hunting and fishing heritage.”

Jeff Crane, president of the Congressional Sportmen’s Foundation, added, “This issue is about protecting America’s sportsmen as a federal ban on lead ammunition and fishing gear would negatively impact industry and wildlife conservation funding by driving up costs and serving as a disincentive for Americans to get outdoors.”

I’m with the CSC on this, but I also encourage anglers to stop using lead, especially lead weights, voluntarily. Tungsten costs a bit more than lead, but it is far superior as a worm weight --- smaller, harder, and more sensitive.

Some water birds, including loons, have died from ingesting lead shot and weights, although no evidence exists that their use harms populations overall. Nevertheless, lead is a toxic metal and the less of it we deposit in our fisheries, the better.

Get the Lead Out; Try Tungsten

While lead is legal, cheap, and certainly effective,  I'd rather my fishing weights not be made of a heavy metal.

For bullet weights, I go exclusively with tungsten. It is harder and heavier than lead, meaning weights are smaller and far more sensitive to whatever they touch or are touched by. It's that "feel," that heightened sensitivity, that sold me.

Yes, tungsten is more expensive, but I think that it's well worth the extra pennies.

Lots of companies are offering tungsten alternatives these days. One of them is Bass Pro Shops. Click on the banner and, in the "search for" window, plug in XPS tungsten worm weights to see that company's offerings.

Does Dean Rojas Work for Peanuts?

Knowing the correct answer to that question could help you win  tungsten weights and a shirt and hat autographed by Rojas from Wired2fish and Eco-PRO Tungsten.

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