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Lead poisoning from ingestion of fishing gear: A review

Ambio volume 48, pages 1023–1038 (2019)Cite this article

Abstract

Many publications have investigated the ingestion and toxicity of metallic lead from hunting and the shooting sports. However, there is limited literature on toxicity associated with the ingestion of lead fishing weights, despite our knowledge of damage caused to many species from entanglement in lines, nets, and fish-hooks. This paper surveys current knowledge of species poisoned by ingestion of lead fishing gear and the types of gear that have been implicated. We review the impacts of lead fishing tackle on wildlife species and human health and describe the efficacy of efforts to reduce the use of lead tackle through voluntary, educational, and regulatory approaches to encourage adoption of non-toxic fishing gear. The authors emphasize the need for further research and policy initiatives to deal with this serious problem.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the following people for contributing their data and perspectives to the development of this paper: Eric Corneau, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Gatineau, Que., Canada. Susan Gallo, Maine Audubon Society, Falmouth, ME, USA. Meghan Hartwick, Univ. of New Hampshire, Durham, NH USA. Carrol Henderson, Minnesota Dept. of Natural Resources, St. Paul, MN, USA. Erica LeMoine, Sigurd Olson Inst., Northland College, Ashland, WI, USA. Daniel and Ginger Poleschook, loon biologists, Loon Lake, WA, USA. Sean Strom, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Madison, WI, USA. Jillian Whitney, Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, West Boylston, MA, USA.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Loon Preservation Committee (LPC), P.O. Box 604, Moultonborough, NH, 03254, USA

    Tiffany Grade & Harry Vogel

  2. ToxEcology – Environmental Consulting Ltd., 204-53 West Hastings St, Vancouver, BC, V6B 1G4, USA

    Pamela Campbell

  3. Michigan Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Disease Lab, 4125 Beaumont Rd, Lansing, MI, 48910, USA

    Thomas Cooley & Julie Melotti

  4. Wildlife Health Program, Biodiversity Research Institute, 276 Canco Road, Portland, ME, 04103, USA

    Michelle Kneeland

  5. Biological Resources, Natural Resource Stewardship and Science, National Park Service, 1201 Oakridge Drive Suite 200, Fort Collins, CO, 80525, USA

    Elaine Leslie

  6. Department of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, University of Maine, 251 Nutting Hall, Orono, ME, 04469, USA

    Brooke MacDonald

  7. Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, USA

    Elizabeth Jane Parmley

  8. US Fish & Wildlife Service, Wildlife Center of Virginia, Waynesboro, VA, 22980, USA

    Cyndi Perry

  9. Wildlife Clinic & Center for Conservation Medicine, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, North Grafton, MA, 01536, USA

    Mark Pokras

  10. Vancouver, Canada

    Pamela Campbell

  11. New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Wildlife Health Unit, 108 Game Farm Road, Delmar, NY, 12009, USA

    Joseph Okoniewski

  12. Oakton, USA

    Cyndi Perry

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  1. Tiffany Grade
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  2. Pamela Campbell
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  3. Thomas Cooley
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  4. Michelle Kneeland
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  5. Elaine Leslie
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  6. Brooke MacDonald
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  7. Julie Melotti
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  9. Elizabeth Jane Parmley
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  10. Cyndi Perry
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  11. Harry Vogel
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  12. Mark Pokras
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Correspondence to Tiffany Grade.

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Grade, T., Campbell, P., Cooley, T. et al. Lead poisoning from ingestion of fishing gear: A review. Ambio 48, 1023–1038 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13280-019-01179-w

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13280-019-01179-w

Keywords

  • Jig
  • Loon
  • Lure
  • Sinker
  • Swan
  • Waterbird