|
Anglers usually attach sinkers or jigs to their hook or line,
to submerge it into the water. A sinker is a weight fastened to
fishing line, while a jig is a weighted hook. Sometimes sinkers
and jigs inadvertently detach from the line and fall into the water, or the hook
and line become so entangled that the line breaks or is cut. Environment Canada
(1999) estimates that 500 tonnes of lead sinkers and jigs are lost in Canadian
lakes, streams, and rivers every year!
Click on the pictures to enlarge
them
|
Exchange Event |
Non-toxic sinkers |
Non-toxic jigs |
Lead in the gizzard of a
Trumpeter swan
Photo Credit:
Grant Hudolin
|
Lead sinkers and jigs in waterways can threaten the health of
our fish and wildlife. Loons and other waterbirds are being poisoned by
ingesting lead tackle, mistaking it for food or grit. Once lead enters the
digestive system, it breaks down and is absorbed into the bloodstream, leading
to lead poisoning. Sadly, a loon may die after ingesting just one lead
sinker or jig!
Fortunately, the risk of lead poisoning to waterfowl and the
deposition of lead into waterways can be significantly reduced by switching to
non-toxic tackle products. Since 1996, lead fishing tackle has been banned in
Canada’s National Parks and National Wildlife Areas, while elsewhere, the use
of non-toxic tackle alternatives is voluntary.
It’s Time to "Take a Little Lead Out!"
Due to its toxicity and negative biological effects on
people, lead is no longer used in paint, gasoline and other products.
England banned the use of lead sinkers in 1987.
The United States banned lead shot for hunting in 1991,
after statistics showed millions of ducks and geese had died annually from
lead poisoning.
In Canada, the use of lead sinkers and jigs has been
prohibited in National Parks and National Wildlife Areas since 1997.
A lead shot ban in Ontario began in 1989 within selected
Non-toxic Shot Zones. As of 1999, under Migratory Bird Regulations,
non-toxic shot is mandatory for hunting waterfowl and most other migratory
game birds throughout all areas of Canada.
The "Take a Little Lead Out!"
project aims to educate people
on the dangers of lead in our waterways, and to provide anglers with the
opportunity to voluntarily exchange their lead sinkers and jigs for new
non-toxic alternatives, absolutely free! Exchanges are held at various
public events in the Severn Sound area throughout the summer. In addition,
exchanges can be made year-round at the Severn Sound Environmental Association
office located at 67 Fourth Street in Midland.
Unleaded Tackle
Non-toxic sinkers and jigs are made from a wide variety of
materials, including bismuth, polymers, tin, and clay.
The End Result
Over 545 pounds of lead has been collected in the Severn Sound
Watershed since 1997. The lead has been recycled to a variety of sustainable
end-uses, including being taken to Tonolli Canada Ltd., a lead recycling and
smelting facility in Mississauga. Tonolli receives over 60,000 tonnes of
batteries and other lead bearing scrap each year, recycling nearly 100% of them,
along with the company’s process by-products. In 1998, Tonolli was QS 9000
certified, which includes provisions for quality control and diligence in
environmental health and safety.
|
