Ban on lead sinkers may be based on nonsense (Environmental Loon Alert)

The Washington Times ^ | 10-12-05 | Gene Mueller

[JZelle]

Peter Shawn Taylor, a writer for Canada's National Post newspaper, referred to Ottawa's plan to ban lead fishing sinkers to save Canada's loons as "sinking science." After all, the annual death toll of loons that swallowed lead sinkers and perhaps died from ingesting such ungainly objects is six, at least according to several independent surveys. As the cold season arrives in the Canadian provinces, this could be the last year in which lead sinkers will be permitted. Taylor recently wrote that the federal government is proposing to ban lead tackle and force fishermen to find more expensive alternatives. Even non-anglers, he said, should be concerned with how and why the government is making this decision. Taylor and a host of Canadian sport fishing specialists accused their government of using junk science. "Whimsy and fabrication have replaced science in setting environmental policies," wrote Taylor, who said the government and the environmental group that spearheaded the crusade, the World Wildlife Fund, claim the move is necessary to save Canadian loons from lead poisoning. Taylor said the evidence suggests the size and danger of the lead-sinker issue has been grotesquely exaggerated. "And if the Liberals are prepared to pervert scientific evidence in order to justify new laws for picayune issues [like] fishing tackle, what does this suggest for bigger and more significant policies?" he asked. It all goes back to 1991 when the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service banned lead shotgun pellets because of some evidence they found their way into lakes and rivers and were then ingested by water birds, causing lead poisoning in loons. In 1997 Canada followed suit and banned lead shot used by hunters.

[Hegemony Cricket]

"Whimsy and fabrication have replaced science in setting environmental policies,"

Uhh, "Silent Spring" anyone?

[newgeezer]

the annual death toll of loons that swallowed lead sinkers and perhaps died from ingesting such ungainly objects is six, at least according to several independent surveys

According to several loons (of the human variety), that's six too many lead-ingesting loons.

[Pessimist]

Lead sinckers? They should switch to depleted uranium. Probably cast better.

[July 4th]

My thoughts exactly!

[UnklGene]

[TYVets]

After all, the annual death toll of loons that swallowed lead sinkers and perhaps died from ingesting such ungainly objects is six, at least according to several independent surveys.

PETA ran out of sinkers after force feeding 6 loons ?

[Deguello]

This is Ted Kennedy's back-door gun control plan...to outlaw firearms by way of outlawing ammunition.

He has this outlined as a 20 year plan but has allowed it to move at it's pace of a thirty year plan.

Kennedy needs two precedents to outlaw lead for projectiles. The first was on the Federal level of outlawing the use of lead shot for Federal Migratory birds. This became law over 20 years ago and has withstood any court challenge.

If Kennedy gets his second precedent with the ban of lead fishing weights and automotive wheel weights, he will have what he needs for an all-out lead ban.

[Always Right]

I have already switched to plastic and wood sinkers years ago....

[L98Fiero]

LOL, similar nonesense that led to bird-seed being thrown at weddings instead of rice.

[KarlInOhio]

They should switch to depleted uranium. Probably cast better.

That is just so wrong ... that you posted it before I got the chance.

[wyattearp]

I tried mercury, but I can't get it to stay on the line.

[laceybrookesdad]

My wife and I was garage sale hunting this past summer and we ran across some really huge lead sinkers. I think we bought about 8 of them at a quarter a piece. They weigh 8 ounces each. They will be great for fishing in strong currents. Definitely added some weight to our tackle box.