COMMUNIQUÉ I N S I G H T • A N A LY S I S • T R A D E N E W S
ASA reacts quickly to counter renewed calls for US lead ban
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nti-fishing campaigners in the US have revived their controversial bid to have lead banned from fishing tackle.For the second time in just over 12 months, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been petitioned by the Center for Biological Diversity and two other anti-fishing groups requesting the EPA regulate the manufacture and sale of lead fishing tackle of certain sizes under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). A similar appeal was rejected in November 2010 after the EPA found that the petitioners had not demonstrated that the ban is necessary to protect against an unreasonable risk of injury to health or the environment. “The sportfishing community is once again asking the EPA to rule on the side of scientific fish and wildlife population management
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ASA Vice President Gordon Robertson: Says the ban petition is ‘unwarranted’.
Angling International February 2012
and dismiss this unwarranted petition,” said American Sportfishing Association Vice President, Gordon Robertson. “Such regulations will have a negative impact on recreational anglers and the sportfishing industry. The petitioners lack credible science to back up such a far-reaching request. “They claim lead is threatening loons across the nation, but several studies – including one by the US Fish and Wildlife Service – have shown the populations are either stable or increasing. “Despite the EPA’s earlier clear ruling, the petitioners continue to attempt to push for 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 to prevent an overreaching ban on lead fishing tackle. Robertson added: “With anti-fishing organisations trying to over-regulate fishing by using whatever means they can, legislation is needed to protect traditional fishing tackle and ammunition from unjustified bans. “Last year more then 43,000 anglers sent their objections to the EPA through KeepAmericaFishing,” added Robertson. “The ASA encourages members of the sportfishing industry to contact the EPA in opposition to this petition and urge their Member of Congress to support the Hunting, Fishing and Recreational Shooting Sports Protection Act.”
“The petitioners lack credible science to back up their request.”