Policy Alert Archives   Update on the Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill 5/20/2010 Information on Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill 5/3/2010 Tell the White House That the New National Policy for the Ocean, Coasts and Great lakes Must Safeguard Recreational Fishing 3/9/2010 New National Policy May Close Marine and Fresh Waters to Recreational Fishing 2/7/2010 Washington State Anglers Face a Ban on Lead Fishing Tackle 12/9/2009 Washington State Anglers Face a Ban on Lead Fishing Tackle 11/17/2009 New National Oceans and Great Lakes Policy Proposal Ignores $125 Billion Recreational Fishing's Economic Impact 10/5/2009 Contact Florida Governor Charlie Crist and Legislators Demanding They Prevent the National Park Service From Taking Away Your Right to Fish in Biscayne National Park! 9/25/2009 Send a letter to the National Park Service to Protect Your Right to Fish in Biscayne Bay 9/25/2009 Support HR 2565: The National Fish Habitat Conservation Act 4/27/2009 California Angler Access Decision Coming 4/27/2009 The Consumer Product Safety Act of 2008 Update 4/6/2009 The Consumer Product Safety Act of 2008 2/5/2009 Recreational Fishing in the Pacific Ocean is in Peril 10/15/2008 West Coast Salmon Disaster Relief Funds Released 9/18/2008 Support Marine Protected Area Proposal 2XA 4/9/2008 Support S.2766, the Clean Boating Act of 2008 4/7/2008 ASA Opposes U.S. Bureau of Customs and Border Protection Proposed Rule Regarding "First Sale" 4/4/2008 ASA's Position on Proposed Recreational Fishing Restrictions for Gag Grouper in the gulf of Mexico 3/17/2008 ASA's Position on NOAA's Sanctuaries Program's Islands in the Stream Gulf of Mexico Proposal 2/6/2008 Support Passage of the Magnuson-Stevens Act 8/28/2006 Restoration of the Klamath River Salmon Populations 8/22/2006 Excise Tax—Where Are We Now? 5/24/2006 EEZ Striped Bass Fishing 5/19/2006 Support Health Insurance Bill 5/11/2006   Learn More

December 9, 2009

American Sportfishing Association Policy Alert

Washington State Anglers Face a Ban on Lead Fishing Tackle

For more information, contact Gordon Robertson, vice president and Government Affairs lead, 703.519.9691, x237 or Mike Leonard, Policy Fellow, x230.

The Washington State Fish and Wildlife Commission (WFWC) is considering a proposal that would unduly ban lead fishing tackle on selected state waters. The commission needs to hear from anglers before they make their final decision in February 2010. We urge you to ask the commission to reject this proposal.

Please send an e-mail/letter to the WFWC urging them to reject Proposed Rule #32 that would ban the use of lead fishing tackle in selected state waters. The proposal is based on the false assumptions that lead fishing tackle poses a threat to loon populations and that many alternatives to lead are widely available for approximately the same price.

Next Steps for the Commission
During its December 4 – 5 meeting in Olympia, the commission members heard from ASA staff, anglers, recreational fishing organizations and the general public who spoke out against the proposal. To view ASA’s full written statement, click here.

The WFWC will hear additional comments during its January 2010 meeting. The commission will make a final decision during a February 2010 meeting. Do your part and send an e-mail/letter to the WFWC to voice your concerns about this unnecessary and unjustified ban on lead fishing tackle. Click here now to send your e-mail.

No Evidence Supports a Lead Fishing Tackle Ban
No evidence exists that concludes that lead fishing tackle is threatening loon populations. A study of common loons by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife found “no evidence of a declining population or a substantial change in distribution” in the state, and loon populations are stable or increasing throughout their range. Advocates for the proposed ban are using as evidence a finding that says over the past 13 years, only nine loons are found to have died from ingesting lead fishing tackle. Many other studies have concluded that lead fishing tackle does not negatively impact loon populations, and that bans on lead fishing tackle are unwarranted.

Additionally, fishing tackle made from alternatives to lead can be much more expensive, are in limited supply and do not perform as well.

Take Action Now!
Please take action now to ensure that the Washington State Fish and Wildlife Commission will reject the proposed ban by sending your e-mail/letter. Click here now to make your voice heard!