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Wolfe Lake Association let's Get The lead out program
TOXINS IN YOUR TACKLE BOX
Our "Let's Get The Lead Out" Program," is an initiative designed 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.
Eagles are victims too
Lead Toxicity in Bald Eagles
Poisoned Eagle Dying From Lead Toxicity
Poisoned Eagle Dying From Lead Toxicity
Over the past twenty-five years, lead toxicity—or lead poisoning—has become an increasingly apparent concern impacting bald eagles along with other bird species and wildlife.
Poisoned Eagle Dying From Lead Toxicity
Poisoned Eagle Dying From Lead Toxicity
Poisoned Eagle Dying From Lead Toxicity
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.
It’s a preventable tragedy – and together, we can make positive change!
THERE IS Hope through help
Dangers of Using Lead Fishing Tackle Education and Awareness
Through educational opportunities at community events, such as the Westport Area Outdoor Association’s Wolf Howl ice fishing derby, Westport's Ecofest, Lake Links, FOCA, Bird Supply Retailers, nature organizations, radio, podcasts, internet, social media, kids camps, Events and our Lake Association partners we spread awareness about the negative impacts of lead fishing tackle and introduced safer alternatives.
Lead Fishing Tackle Drop Off, Collection
Lead fishing tackle can be dropped off at our participating retailers and at the Westport Lions, Reuse and Recycle Centre - 5295 Salem Rd just west of town.
In addition to lead fishing tackle at the Lions Reuse and Recycle Centre you can also bring in lead weights, lead from decoys, lead anchors....... in short anything lead.
SAFE AND SMART RECYCLING
All lead collected by The Wolfe Lake Association is turned into Kimco Recycling in Kingston who in turn recycles the lead and sells it to a Canadian battery manufacturer ensuring the lead does not end back tackle manufactures inventory and ultimately on retailer shelves.
Photo Credit - Margie Manthey
