Take a little Lead Out!...

Fishing Sinker & Jig Awareness Campaign & Exchange...

Fishing is Poisoning Our Water Birds...

It is estimated that some 500 tonnes of toxic lead is entering Canadian waters each year as a result of lost fishing sinkers and jigs. Most of these losses occur in the waters of Ontario and Quebec. Lead fishing weights of less than two ounces are responsible for the disability and death of loons and other water birds. Thirty percent of adult loon mortality in Ontario is attributed to ingestion of small lead weights. Loons, various duck species, tundra, mute and trumpeter swans and sandhill cranes foraging for food ingest this lead as food, grit used in the bird's gizzard to grind food or by accident. Lead is ground down in the gizzard, moved into the bloodstream and delivered to the vital organs (kidneys, brain etc.). The result is breakdown of the digestive system, loss of weight, inability to walk or fly, trouble feeding mating and caring for young, susceptibility to predation and possible death. These weakened birds, being easier to prey upon, also place predators and scavengers at increased risk. And all it takes is one lead sinker or jig!

Legislation...

Lead has been identified for virtual elimination from the Great Lakes by the International Joint Commission. In 1987, Great Britain banned the sale of all small lead fishing weights based on widespread lead poisoning of swans. The United States has banned the use of lead sinkers in several of its National Wildlife Refuges and National Parks. Lead has been declared toxic under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act. To date, however, Canadian legislation is limited to federal properties. These restrictions affect less than 50 000 anglers, or 0.9% of the approximately 5.5 million anglers in Canada (National Wildlife Research Centre, Environment Canada).

Conservation Groups Taking Action...

In 1995, the Bay of Quinte Remedial Action Plan (613-394-4829) initiated the Take a little Lead Out! program aimed at reducing lead poisoning in loons and other water birds. This program increases public awareness about lead toxicity in water birds as a result of lead fishing weights and provides a direct means for fishermen to exchange their existing toxic lead tackle on a one-for-one basis for new, non-toxic bismuth and tin alternatives...and its absolutely free!!! Fishermen are encouraged to select environmentally-friendly fishing tackle in the future. In 1997, the Rondeau Bay Watershed Rehabilitation Program (RBWRP) along with the Hamilton Harbour Remedial Action Plan (905-525-2181) and the Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre (1-800-267-5171) initiated Take a little Lead Out! programs.

Local Exchanges...

In the Rondeau Bay area, exchange kits are available at the following locations year-round:

and at the following locations during the summer season:

Exchanges are also done at local summer events and at Southwestern Ontario Bass Association fishing tournaments.

Since the program started, the RBWRP has collected 212 kg (467 lbs.) of lead tackle for recycling. That’s 212 kg of lead that won’t poison our waterbirds! The recycling money collected at $0.30 per pound is directed right back into the Take a little Lead Out! program.

All local retailers are being encouraged to stock non-toxic alternatives on an on-going basis. More recently, the RBWRP has been encouraging conservation groups around the province to conduct their own Take a little Lead Out! program. Far-reaching effects are expected as sport fishermen make use of the same tackle when fishing in other areas within and outside of the province, particularly the hard-bottomed lakes of the Canadian shield that are the favoured nesting sites of the common loon.

Conduct Your Own Take a little Lead Out! Program...

The RBWRP would like to encourage you, along with other conservation groups and their members, to help take a little lead out by starting a Take a little Lead Out! exchange program in your area. The following guidelines provide the basics for the program:

• Financial assistance may be available from such groups as your local Canada Trust Friends of the Environment Foundation, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources’ Community Fisheries and Wildlife Involvement Program or local businesses seeking community recognition.
• Determine the types of weighted tackle most frequently used by fishermen in your area. If you’re not sure, talk to local fishermen and retailers.

• Order non-toxic bismuth sinkers and jigs and tin split shot in bulk from a supplier. Some may be willing to offer reduced rates for bulk purchases and/or to groups conducting free Take a little Lead Out! exchanges.
• Place the tackle in organizer kits and label the drawers as to the contents (e.g. type, weight, hook size).
• The Take a little Lead Out! brochures were designed so that any group could use them. The basic information is printed on the brochure with blank areas left so that individual groups can photocopy on information regarding the particular details of their exchanges (i.e. when and where fishermen can participate), who to contact for more information, funder/sponsor recognition and the organizing group’s name. To order brochures, contact Market High Advertising Ltd., 340 Sidney Street, Box 430, Trenton, Ontario. K8V 5R6 Tel: 613-394-3373. To reduce costs through bulk printing, contact the RBWRP to find out if your order can be combined with other groups.

• Make arrangements with local radio stations to air commercials letting the public know about Take a little Lead Out! and where they can participate (see sample radio commercial). Radio stations will often provide special buy one, get one or more free offers to non-profit groups conducting such projects. Send who, what, when, where information to all the local media for their community calendars.
• Conduct exchanges through local retail outlets, at fishing tournaments, at group meetings etc.. RBWRP exchanges are voluntary and free of charge. They are done on a 1 for 1 basis for similar tackle while supplies last. Fishermen must turn in their lead in order to receive non-toxic replacements. Tackle is not exchanged with those in a position to re-sell (e.g. a retailer or a fishing guide). In order to ensure that everyone can participate, it is occasionally necessary to apply limits to the amount a fishermen can exchange. (i.e. it is not possible to exchange all the lead a fishermen has if they bring in multiple tackle boxes filled with lead fishing weights).
• Lead cannot be disposed of in the garbage. Recycle the lead frequently, ensuring that you know what the end use will be. For example, the RBWRP's lead is recycled at Battery Boy who resells it to a company for the manufacture of solder, wheel weights and diving weights.

References...

• Scheuhammer, A. M. and S. L. Norris. 1995. A review of the environmental impacts of lead shotshell ammunition and lead fishing weights in Canada. Canadian Wildlife Service, Environment Canada.
• National Wildlife Research Centre, Environment Canada. Fact sheets.
• Canadian Wildlife Service, Environment Canada. Lead Sinkers and Jigs brochure.
• Canadian Wildlife Service and Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. Protecting Waterfowl from Lead Poisoning: Steel Shot Information, Lake St. Clair.

Non-Toxic Sinker & Jig Suppliers...

• Jackfish Lures. Carl Love, 448 Ridge Rd. Edmonton, AB. T6K 2K3. (makes and sells bismuth sinkers and jigs and tin split shots.)
• Classic Sports of Canada Incorporated. Andy Clemens, 655 The Queensway, Peterborough, ON. K9V 7M1, Tel: 705-741-6266 (supplier of Bismuth to Canadian Market. Deals with retailers only)
• D & D Lures. 1576 Howard Ave., Windsor, ON. N8X 3T4. Tel: 519-256-8073 (manufacturer)
• Hook Line And Sinker. Tim May, 174-916 West Broadway, Vancouver, B.C. V6M 1K7, Tel: 604-222-1030 (distributor of Rubber products: Big Polly, Trolling Weights)
• KTL Canada Inc. Shawn, 2465 Miltower Court, Mississauga, ON. L5M 5Z6, Tel: 905- 542-0535 (distributors of D&D Lures, DINSMORE and Water Gremlin fishing tackle. DINSMORE (tin sinkers) can be obtained by contacting their U.K. office at 44- 922-56421)
• Tightline Tackle. Apt.202, 143 St. Lawrence Court, Saskatoon, Sask. S7K 4H3, Tel: 306-652-1411 (makes and sells fishing tackle made of "environmetal" which weights 79% as much as lead, but contains no lead, brass or zinc.)
• Jr’s Environmentally Friendly Clay Sinkers. 96 Seventh St. Collingwood, ON. L9Y 2A9, Tel: 705-445-6332 (makes and sells clay sinkers)
• Loon Outdoors. Dan Pardese or Ken Smith, 7737 West Mossy cup, Boise, Idaho. 83709 Tel: 208-362-4437, http://www.buytheworld.com/norest/loon/loon.htm) (manufacturers of environmentally friendly fly fishing tackle: reusable, biodegradable, strike indicator putty (Biostrike TM Strike indicator), non-toxic putty alternative to lead split shot (Deep Soft Weight TM) and Knot Dressing to all manner of floatants.)
• Mitech Metals. Jeff Keele, Tel: 317-549-4290 (manufacturer of TUNGSTEN BEADS)
• Orvis. 1711 Blue Hills Dr. P.O. Box 12000, Roanoke, VA. 24022-8001, Tel: 800-541-3541 or 800-548-9548 (Customer Services). (manufacturer of fly fishing tackle, floatants to sink putties to tungsten beads. Ask about their Lead Sinker Trade in program)
• Water Gremlin. 610 Whitaker Ave. White Bear Lake, Minnesota. 55110, Tel: 612-429-7761, http://www/watergremlin.com/default.HTM. (manufactures/distributes GREMLIN GREEN: includes split host sinkers & bullet, barrel & egg sinkers made of a plastic composite resin with stainless steel.)
• Jadico Inc. P.O. Box 798, Cambenton, Missouri. 65020, Tel: 314-346-4305 (distributes a line of jigheads "Formula 208 Nail Heads" 99% Bismuth and 1% Antimony)
• American Sports International. P.O. Drawer E, Hwy. 52 West, Columbia, Alabama. 36319. Tel: 205-696-4466 (manufactures bismuth "Formula 208" egg sinkers and worm weights)

Sample Radio Commercial...

Fishing is one of Canada’s most cherished pastimes. It’s a wonderful way to enjoy the tranquillity of nature. Unfortunately, tonnes of lost lead fishing weights threaten Ontario’s loon and other water birds with lead poisoning. It’s time to Take a little Lead Out!. Help the Rondeau Bay Watershed Rehabilitation Program protect our wildlife. Exchange your lead sinkers and jigs for free non-toxic ones today at: The Buckhorn Café, Cedar Springs; Barney’s Boats, Erieau; The Rondeau Park Store; or the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Chatham. Sponsored in part by Battery Boy and CKSY.

Take a little Lead Out! Partners...

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