ASA Members, Anglers, and Minnesota State Legislators Work Together On Fishing Sinker Legislation
by Janet Tennyson
Special teamwork and angler advocacy initiated by members of the American Sportfishing Association recently influenced a balanced outcome to a debate over lead fishing sinker legislation in the State of Minnesota.
Led by Cabela's, Normark/Rapala Corporation, Water Gremlin Company, Lindy Legendary Fishing Tackle, Northland Tackle, and Do-It Corporation, a coalition of sportfishing manufacturers and retailers enlisted the support of thousands of anglers and worked with state legislators to help develop legislative provisions relating to lead sinkers.
An effort by Fred Neal, Director of Fishing and Marine at Cabela's, encouraged anglers to oppose previously proposed legislation that would have essentially prohibited the manufacture, sale, and use of terminal tackle and lures containing lead and weighing an ounce or less. Cabela's distributed information to thousands of sportsmen at two of its stores in Owatanna and East Grand Forks, Minnesota. Cabela's then joined up with Normark and Water Gremlin to reach even more customers through direct mail.
After negotiations with sportfishing companies, new legislative provisions were included in the State Senate's omnibus fish and game bill (S.F. No. 887), and focus on educating anglers about lead tackle, the availability of alternatives, and how to use lead sinkers safely.
" This success in Minnesota shows that policy-makers are more receptive to our interests when sportfishing companies and anglers stand together on policy decisions that affect fishing," said Jerry Calengor, Executive Vice President of Normark/Rapala and Chairman of the Board of the American Sportfishing Association. "ASA's Board of Directors is exploring a variety of ways to better mobilize on policy advocacy, and this resolution in Minnesota is good food for thought as we plan our future efforts."
Over the last several months, the American Sportfishing Association has worked with states and others to proactively address lead sinker concerns and promote consistent, common sense conservation measures. Loons and waterbirds have been known to ingest lost fishing sinkers; however, research does not show sinkers are affecting bird populations. New Hampshire, Maine, and New York passed related legislation in recent years, but each state has different restrictions relating to the manufacture, sale, and use of lead sinkers of varying weights and sizes, making it difficult for sportfishing companies to accommodate their business operations.
More information summarizing research on lead sinker ingestion by waterbirds
and the evolution of associated policy is available in ASA's Government
Affairs.
The American Sportfishing Association is the leading recreational fishing trade association, uniting 500 members of the sportfishing and boating industries, state fish and wildlife agencies, federal land and water management agencies, conservation organizations, angler advocacy groups, and outdoor journalists. The American Sportfishing Association initiates and supports efforts to advance healthy fisheries, fishing opportunities, and a profitable sportfishing industry.
