Fishermen

Here's a way fishermen can play a special role in protecting loons and other birds. These birds ingest pebbles, and also mistakenly ingest lead sinkers, and are dying from lead poisoning!

Lead sinkers are already illegal in some states already (Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine). But if you fish elsewhere - even if they're still legal - simply choose to use fishing tackle that is made of something other than lead or zinc (which is equally toxic)!

Choose tackle made from these non-toxic materials:

	*tin*
	*bismuth*
	*steel*
	*ceramic*
	*glass*

This is an easy way to be a good steward of God's creation!

Some background

The Adirondack Cooperative Loon Program has an excellent article on Lead and Loons.

Here's some additional information:

A Tufts University study has found that New England loons and other birds are dying from lead poisoning. Loons ingest pebbles, and perhaps mistakenly, lead sinkers to aid in digestion. In the loon's acidic gizzard, the lead breaks down quickly, is absorbed into the blood, and can cause death within two weeks. A single dose of 0.3 grams of lead has proven fatal to loons. Lead sinkers and jigs generally weigh between .5 and 15 grams.

From Tufts E-News

The loon population is already in decline because of other factors such as

	acid rain that depletes fish stocks and leaches mercury from rocks and soils
	shoreline development and human use of lakes
	increased populations of predators such as raccoons whose populations have increased because of the availability of human garbage.

From Canadian Lake Loon Survey

Good news!

Governor Pataki of New York State signed a law banning the sale of these lead sinkers! There probably are still many around, however, so it's still important to spread the word - especially if you know anglers in other states without this protection!

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