Take the Lead
Out
Lead Free
Sinkers and Jigs
You can help prevent lead poisoning of water
birds.
The problem:
Every year in Canada, loons and other water birds die needlessly of
lead poisoning. They get lead poisoning by eating lead fishing
sinkers or jigs that have been attached to the fishing line to sink the
hook, bait or lure into the water. These fishing sinkers and jigs
come in all shapes and sizes.
Sinking to the
Bottom: Sometimes anglers accidentally drop loose fishing
sinkers or jigs into the water. Sometimes they throw them away on
purpose. Sinkers and jigs can also be lost in the water if the
hook or line gets tangled and the line breaks or is cut.
One thing is sure though, most fishing sinkers and jigs will one day
end up at the bottom of a lake, pond, or stream. An estimated 500
tonnes of lead sinkers and jigs are lost in Canadian waters each year.
(1996 statistic)
Eaten by Birds: Many ducks and other water birds
get their food by digging in the mud at the bottom of lakes. If
they find a sinker there, they may eat it by accident, because they
think it is food, or they may need grit (the small stones that birds
eat to help them grind up their food). A fish-eating water bird,
such as a loon, may be attracted to the bait on a hook and may swallow
the jig or sinker when it is still attached to the line.
Lead Poisoning:
A bird that eats a lead sinker or jig usually gets very sick and often
dies. The lead breaks down in the bird's gizzard. Then it
moves into the bloodstream and gets carried to important organs like
the kidneys and brain, where it may cause a lot of damage.
A bird with lead poisoning often acts strangely. Its wingtips
droop, and often it cannot fly or walk. Its digestive system
breaks down, and it loses weight. As the bird becomes weaker, it
can be easily captured by enemies. Even when the signs of lead
poisoning are not obvious, the bird may still have trouble feeding,
mating, nesting and caring for its young.
Water birds can die by eating just one lead sinker or jig. In
eastern North America, up to half of all Common Loons found dead have
died from eating a lead sinker or jig.
New
Regulations: To help protect water birds from
getting lead poisoning, Great Britain banned the use of lead sinkers in
1987. In the fall of 1996 it was made illegal to use lead fishing
sinkers or jigs in Canada's national parks and national wildlife
areas. You are not allowed to have lead fishing sinkers or jigs
in your possession while you are fishing in these areas.
What You Can Do:
Ask your local fishing store to stock non-lead fishing
tackle. Sinkers and jigs do not have to be made out of lead. You
can buy sinkers and jigs made out of other materials, like tin,
bismuth, steel or special putty that are not poisonous to
birds.
Remember:
Treat all wildlife and their habitats with respect. We all want
fish and water birds to be around for a long, long time!
For More
Information: Contact: Canadian Wildlife Service,
Environment Canada, Ottawa, K1A 0H3 (819) 997 - 1095
Hooked On
Fishing Workshops for Ages 9 to 12 years
Fishing Camp teaches casting techniques,
preparation of leads & line; wetland habitat eco-system study;
catch and release and other skills. The majority of each day is
spent fishing. As anglers and instructors we follow a code of
behaviour which will assure greater health for the fish, the other
water wildlife and the ecosystem in which they live.
Down To Earth