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OTTAWA, February 17, 2004 – In keeping with the Government of Canada’s commitment to protecting and preserving Canada’s environment, and the health of our wildlife populations,the Honourable David Anderson, Minister of the Environment, announced today that he will soon propose regulations that will bring about an eventual prohibition on the import, manufacture and sale of fishing sinkers and jigs containing lead.
“Lead has toxic properties, and sinkers and jigs containing lead are taking a toll on water birds, including the loon, a bird that has come to symbolize the wilderness for many Canadians,”said Minister Anderson.“ Fortunately, this threat is largely preventable – lead-free sinkers and jigs are affordable, work just as well, and are becoming
more readily available. I encourage everyone in the fishing community to use these alternatives.”
Sinkers and jigs that are lost while fishing account for about 18 percent of all direct lead releases into the environment, and represent a major threat to water birds, such as the loon. Studies show that up to 30 per cent of reported adult loon deaths during the breeding season in eastern Canada are the result of lead poisoning. The loons ingest the lead sinkers or jigs when they ingest gravel to aid digestion, or when they consume lost bait fish with lead fishing gear attached.
“The Canadian Wildlife Service estimates that up to 500 tonnes of lead in the form of lead sinkers and jigs is lost in our environment every year,” said Minister Anderson. “That’s the equivalent weight of dropping some 500 cars into our lakes, rivers and streams each year.”
Restrictions on the use of lead sinkers in Canada’s National Wildlife Areas and National Parks have been in place since 1997. Other jurisdictions,
including Great Britain and American states such as Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts also restrict the use of lead sinkers and jigs. New York State will introduce restrictions this spring.
Environment Canada will be working with stakeholders, through our regulatory development consultation process, to ensure a smooth transition to lead-free products. Public consultations on the proposed regulations will begin within the next 6 months.
Information on lead-free fishing is available at:
http://www.cws-scf.ec.gc.ca/fishing/index_e.cfm or by calling Environment Canada’s Enquiry Centre at 1-800-668-6767.
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