COMMITTED TO LONG TERM HEALTH & ENJOYMENT OF WOLFE LAKE
Wolfe Lake Association LEAD FISHING TACKLE BUY BACK PROGRAM
TOXINS IN YOUR TACKLE BOX
The "Lead Fishing Tackle Buy Back Program," is a voluntary initiative that will serve to reduce toxic lead fishing tackle from accumulating in the environment where it is responsible for the deaths of millions of birds and other wildlife annually. Loons, eagles, swans and waterfowl are especially vulnerable. Lead is very harmful to all living things, including people and it threatens our water quality.
Lead (Pb) is a neuro-toxin which attacks the nervous system and can lead to blindness, decreased reproductivity, seizures and death. Lead is fatal to loons and other aquatic birds.
TOXIC TACKLE IS INVISIBLE TO LOONS & OTHER AQUATIC WILDLIFE
HOW LEAD TACKLE ENDS UP IN A LOON
HOW CAN I TELL IF MY FISHING TACKLE CONTAINS LEAD?
DEADLY & INVISIBLE THREAT TO LOONS
Loons eat a fish with ingested or attached tackle.
Loons grab your bait or fish from your fishing line.
They scoop up lead sinkers on the lake bottom when gathering pebbles to aid in their digestion.
Photo Credit - Avian Haven
DEADLY & INVISIBLE THREAT TO LOONS
HOW CAN I TELL IF MY FISHING TACKLE CONTAINS LEAD?
DEADLY & INVISIBLE THREAT TO LOONS
IS IT GRIT OR LEAD?
This is an actual sample of the lakebed in Wolfe Lake. Lead tackle was added to illustrate how difficult it is to identify grit from lead.
Loons can't tell the difference between lead tackle and pebbles. Can you? How many pieces of lead fishing tackle are in the picture?
HOW CAN I TELL IF MY FISHING TACKLE CONTAINS LEAD?
HOW CAN I TELL IF MY FISHING TACKLE CONTAINS LEAD?
HOW CAN I TELL IF MY FISHING TACKLE CONTAINS LEAD?
Lead is dull and grey in colour. It will leave a mark when scratched on paper.
Lead is a dense soft metal. If you can dent it with your fingernail or pliers it is lead.
Is it safe to use coated lead tackle?
Coatings are quickly eroded by the grinding in the digestive system and then lead is absorbed into the blood stream.
OUR LOONS ARE THE CANARY IN THE COAL MINE
A LONG LIFE IS NEEDED TO SUSTAIN THE LOON SPECIES
A LONG LIFE IS NEEDED TO SUSTAIN THE LOON SPECIES
A LONG LIFE IS NEEDED TO SUSTAIN THE LOON SPECIES
Loon life expectancy is 15-30 years.
Their long life is credited to sustaining their species.
Photo Credit - Justin Hoffman
LOONS HAVE A LOW REPRODUCTIVE RATE
A LONG LIFE IS NEEDED TO SUSTAIN THE LOON SPECIES
A LONG LIFE IS NEEDED TO SUSTAIN THE LOON SPECIES
Loons do not mate until they reach the age of 6-7 years of age.
They average 1/2 chick per year.
Photo Credit - Justin Hoffman
LET'S GET THE LEAD OUT
A LONG LIFE IS NEEDED TO SUSTAIN THE LOON SPECIES
LET'S GET THE LEAD OUT
It takes only one small piece of lead to kill an adult Loon!
In addition to aquatic birds, lead endangers mammals, amphibians, reptiles and songbirds, too .
Lead-free fishing tackle is not a novelty product. Ask for it at wherever fishing tackle is sold.
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Eagles Are Victims Too
Bald eagles are poisoned when they eat a dead or dying fish with broken line and lead tackle attached.
Photo Credit - Sandy Pines Wildlife Centre - poisoned Eagle dying from lead toxicity.
THERE IS Hope through help
Lead Fishing Tackle Buy Back & Exchange
The Wolfe Lake Association, Westport, (WLA), through a generous grant from South Frontenac Township and with support from our partners and sponsors, has implemented a voluntary “Lead Fishing Tackle Buy Back Program.” Working with participating sporting goods retailers and tackle shops, anglers can exchange their existing toxic lead fishing tackle for a $10 voucher to be used on a purchase of lead-free tackle products at participating retailer locations.* Terms and conditions apply.
Through educational opportunities at community events, such as the Westport Area Outdoor Association’s Wolf Howl ice fishing derby, we will spread awareness about the negative impacts of lead fishing tackle and introduce safer alternatives by offering product exchanges. For example, an angler turning in toxic lead sinkers will receive a packet of lead-free sinkers.
Lead fishing tackle can also be dropped off at the Westport Lions, Reuse and Recycle Centre. Your donation will make a difference in the community.
The WLA will collect all exchanged lead and dispose of it properly in accordance with Rideau Lakes and South Frontenac Townships.
Photo Credit - Margie Manthey
Choose Lead Free - There are many quality & high performing Lead-free alternatives for anglers today.
ENDORSEMENTS
Office of Scott Reid
Member of Parliament | Lanark-Frontenac-Kingston
1-866-277-1577 & 613-257-8130 Ottawa: 613-947-2277 | scott.reid@parl.gc.ca | www.scottreid.ca
"When anglers lose lead fishing tackle, it accumulates on the lake bottom and in the surrounding environment, where it endangers the aquatic community, including loons, eagles and swans. Loons are especially susceptible because they mistake lead sinkers for pebbles, which they swallow to aid digestion or when they catch and eat a fish with broken line and lead tackle attached. Once lead is ingested, it breaks down and is absorbed into the blood stream, poisoning and killing the loon.
To protect loons and other vulnerable wildlife, I am pleased to announce the Wolfe Lake Association Lead Fishing Buy Back Program. The centrepiece of this initiative is to create awareness within the angling community on the harmful impacts of fishing with lead tackle versus the environmentally supportive benefits of switching to non-toxic alternatives.
I am happy to endorse the Wolfe Lake Association Lead Fishing Tackle Buy Back Program — and together, let’s “Get the Lead Out” of our tackle boxes and out of our lakes.
Visit fishleadfree.ca to learn more about the Wolfe Lake Association Lead Fishing Tackle Buy Back Program, including the Westport Lions lead collection location.”
Endorsement - Mayor Vandewal South Frontenac Township
Additional Information
On behalf of the Township of South Frontenac, Council is pleased to endorse the “Lead Tackle Buy Back Program” that is being implemented by the Wolfe Lake Association this year. The "Lead Fishing Tackle Buy Back Program," is a voluntary initiative that aims to reduce the accumulation and effects of toxic lead fishing tackle in the environment, as it is responsible for the deaths of millions of birds and other wildlife annually. While loons, eagles, swans and waterfowl are especially vulnerable, lead can be harmful to all living things and threatens the quality of our waterbodies. This program looks to reduce the amount of lead tackle that is being deposited into local lakes and waterbodies.
Initiatives such as this are exactly what Council was hoping for when they decided to establish the Lake Ecosystem Grant Program in 2021. Intended to support and encourage the preservation, restoration, monitoring and analysis of lake ecosystems within South Frontenac, the Wolfe Lake Association’s lead buy back program embodies these goals by taking action to protect our wildlife and water bodies, while also providing a program that has the potential to positively impact a large portion of the community. As one of the first ever recipients of the Lake Ecosystem Grant Program, Council felt this project would be a great way to invest in our lakes, wildlife, and community.
I encourage residents to visit http://www.fishleadfree.ca/ to learn more about the program and find participating retailers where existing toxic lead fishing tackle can be exchanged for a $10 voucher to be used on the purchase of non-toxic lead tackle products.
Thank you to the members of the Wolfe Lake Association and their partner supporting this initiative, your help is protecting and pressing the Township’s beautiful water bodies for years to come is greatly appreciated.
Yours truly,
Mayor Ron Vandewal
