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Back in
November the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency was yet again petitioned
by anti-fishing groups, requesting that the agency regulate the
manufacture and sale of lead fishing tackle of certain sizes and uses
under the Toxic Substances Control Act. If approved, such regulation could
result in a de facto ban of lead sinkers, jigs and other popular types of
fishing equipment.
This comes on the heels of a similar petition that the EPA dismissed in
November 2010. The original petition also sought to ban lead hunting and
shooting ammunition, which is exempted from regulation under TSCA. In
dismissing the original petition, the EPA indicated that the “petitioners
have not demonstrated that the requested rule is necessary to protect
against an unreasonable risk of injury to health or the environment, as
required by the TSCA.”
“The sportfishing community is once again asking the EPA to rule on the
side of scientific fish and wildlife population management and dismiss
this unwarranted petition,” said American Sportfishing Association (ASA)
Vice President Gordon Robertson. “Such regulations will have a
significant, negative impact on recreational anglers and the sportfishing
industry, yet the petitioners lack credible science to back such a
far-reaching request. They claim lead is threatening loons across the
nation, but several studies, including one by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, have shown that loon populations are either stable or increasing
throughout most of their range.”
"Despite the EPA's clear ruling, the petitioners continue to attempt to
push the ban," said Robertson. "This further demonstrates the need for a
legislative solution to this growing threat to recreational fishing. In
response, the co-chairs of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus have
introduced the Hunting, Fishing and Recreational Shooting Sports
Protection Act, which would prevent an overreaching ban of lead fishing
tackle.
With anti-fishing organizations trying to over-regulate fishing using
whatever means they can, legislation is needed to protect traditional
fishing tackle and ammunition from unjustified bans that will harm the
economy and reduce participation in outdoor activities."
Steve McCadams is a professional hunting and fishing guide here in the Paris Landing
area. He has also contributed many outdoor oriented articles to
various national publications. |
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