| 04 September 2010
On August 23, the Center for Biological Diversity and four other organizations petitioned the EPA to ban lead shot, bullets and all lead in fishing tackle under the Toxic Substances Control Act. Members of the fishing industry are quite concerned about the issue.
The petitioning groups claim potential deaths of waterbirds from lead ingestion as their main reason for requesting the ban. On August 27, the EPA denied a section of the petition regarding ammunition but is still considering the proposed ban on lead fishing gear.
The American Sportfishing Association has a statement on their website stating several reasons why they oppose the ban. They say the available data do not support a federal ban on lead sinkers for fishing; non-lead tackle could be as much as 15 times more costly; the impact of the ban would be great on recreational angles and negligible on waterfowl; and the economic impact of fishing on the economy could be harmed.
Their complete position can be read by clicking this link.
One industry member, T.J. Stallings, Director of Marketing for TTI Blakemore Fishing Group, foresees devastating effects of such a ban on his business.
How would this affect us as a company? Our hook brands would be okay but Road Runner? Imagine all of our molds becoming obsolete overnight. It would be devastating.
The EPA has opened the petition for public comments; the deadline for these is September 15, 2010. You may send you comments to the EPA through the American Sportfishing Association by clicking here.
