Preventing fishing-sinker-induced lead poisoning of common loons through Canadian policy and regulative reform

Ingestion of fishing-weights causes lead toxicosis in waterbirds. An estimated average of 125 to 187 million lead sinkers are deposited in Canadian waters annually, with about half in Ontario. Of 215 dead common loons (Gavia immer) collected in Canadian waters, 23% died of lead poisoning; most specimens were from Ontario. Results of a questionnaire circulated to principal interest groups and organizations in Canada and Ontario showed that most were aware of this issue, and would support action to address the problem. Suitable non-toxic substitutes for lead fishing-weights are available, and are only slightly more costly. Canadian Government policy recommends reduced use of lead, both in products generally and in fishing-weights specifically. Federal legislation suitable for regulating the use of lead fishing-weights Canada-wide exists. Ontario also has legislation that could ban use. Despite this, there has been little action in Canada to address this problem. This is mainly the result of confusion over which Government agency has jurisdiction, lack of documented evidence of the problem in some areas and lack of political will. The recommended policy option is a combination of federal and provincial strategies. Both levels of Government should continue education initiatives, and limited bans on the use of lead fishing-weights in national and provincial parks and wildlife/wilderness areas are appropriate. This could be followed by a nation-wide ban, under authority of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, on the manufacture, sale, importation and use of lead fishing-weights. Parallel regulations on lead weights should be developed throughout loons» North American range.1998 Academic Press