FISHO hears on the grapevine there could be international moves to ban lead sinkers and jigheads.
Details are fairly sketchy but it seems that the Convention for the Conservation of Migratory Species (CMS) is recommending “guidelines” to prevent poisoning of migratory birds. Among the measures being put forward are bans or restrictions on “lead fishing weights”.
Lead is obviously a key ingredient in sinkers, jig heads and even in some lures. While moving away from lead – which can be fairly toxic if it enters the ecosystem – is probably not a bad idea, we’d hope that there would be the necessary consultation with the tackle sector before any bans or restrictions were implemented.
We’ll keep you up to date as soon as more info comes to hand.
Australia is a signatory to the CMS, which meets every three years to consider issues relating to migratory species. Readers will probably remember the hoo-haa created when the former Labor government ill advisedly tried to ban mako fishing due to CMS concerns about mako stocks in the northern hemisphere back in 2010.
According to our sources, the CMS will be considering the status of thresher sharks, scalloped and great hammerheads, among other species, at its next meeting in November.
Stay tuned for more details.
