Legislation

There have been regulatory actions taken in order to reduce the use of lead sinkers and jigs in certain parts of the world. In 1987, Britain banned the use of lead sinkers and jigs that weigh less than 28.35 grams (Corey, 2000). In 1997, Canada banned lead sinkers and jigs in national parks and national wildlife areas that weigh less than 50 grams (Corey, 2000). Canada has embarked on a large scale promotion of the use of lead alternatives through their "Fish Lead Free" campaign.

Since 1997, the United States has banned the use of lead sinkers and jigs in three National Wildlife Refuges and in Yellowstone National Park (Corey, 2000). Three states have issued regulations prohibiting the use of lead sinkers, they are: New Hampshire, Maine, and New York beginning in the year 2000, 2002, and 2004, respectively. Currently, Vermont, Minnesota, and Wisconsin lawmakers are discussing whether they should set regulations on lead sinkers and jigs. All three states have begun, or continued, large scale educational programs that intend on reducing the amount of lead in waterways through voluntary compliance.

Lead Shot

In 1991, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service banned lead shot for waterfowl hunting to minimize lead exposure in both waterfowl and Bald Eagles (USFWS 1994). The research conducted by Bellrose (1959) indicated that many different species of waterfowl were being exposed to lead shot poisoning each year. This presented a clear problem to the stability of population sensitive species, such as the Bald Eagle, because a single death could change population dynamics.

Discussion on Reform

I have found that educational campaigns can be far more beneficial than regulatory reform. It is my opinion that outdoor enthusiasts would be more apt to change gear types if safer alternatives were available in their communities. It is my experience that programs that are instituted within communities have a high success rate because citizens are in contact with friends, relatives, and other locals. If one person is enthusiastic or is concerned it can have great effects on others because it is met on a personal level, where state regulatory reform is rather impersonal and not always effective.