Science & Outdoors
One lead sinker ingested by a loon can kill it within two weeks. Above is an x-ray of a sinker in a loon.
National Park Service helps get the lead out
The Pointer
kbose675@uwsp.edu
In early March, the National Park Service released a statement that they were going to begin efforts to reduce lead in national parks. Their goal was to eliminate the use of lead ammunition and lead fishing tackle by the end of 2010. However, since the proposal, the American Sportfishing Association and a number of other fish and wildlife management conservation groups have attacked the park service, claiming they have not asked for any input from any groups that would be affected by this change.
“The sportfishing industry is surprised and dismayed by the March 10 announcement made by the National Park Service,” said ASA vice president Gordon Robertson. “Their intention to eliminate the use of lead in fishing tackle in national parks was made without prior consultation of the sportfishing industry or the millions of recreational anglers who fish within the national park system.”
The ASA stated that in the normal course of events, the sportfishing and shooting industry would have been notified by NPS about this change in policy and would have been invited to discuss the decision with NPS staff. NPS rebutted the ASA with a statement only eight days later, clarifying their proposal.
The park service stated that there have been no policy changes for the general public regarding a lead ban. They plan to begin the transition within their department to non-lead ammunition in culling operations and dispatching sick and wounded animals. In the future, they plan to look into the potential of banning lead ammunition and tackle to the general public, but this will require public involvement, comment and review.
Lead is an environmental contaminant and is banned in gasoline, children’s toys and paint because of its effects on human health. Fish and wildlife are also adversely affected by lead poisoning. Loons who eat only one lead sinker can die within two weeks of ingestion. California and Arizona have recently implemented mandatory and voluntary bans on lead ammunition to facilitate the California condor recovery.
“My first thoughts are that this [lead ban] would be a great idea. Anything we can do to clean up our lakes and river systems is an awesome idea. However, from a fisherman’s perspective, the only way that I can see to make some lures differently, so there would be no lead, would be to make them of a different metal that would be lighter, meaning our lures would be bulkier and not as natural,” said Logan Bliss, president of the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Big Dawg Fishing Club.
For now, NPS plans to implement its lead ban in their department only with the possibility of one day increasing the ban’s application to the general public.
“The reduction and eventual removal of lead on park service lands will benefit humans, wildlife and ecosystems inside and outside park boundaries and continue our legacy of resource stewardship,”acting NPS Director Dan Wenk said.
