For more than 40 years, wildlife veterinarian Dr. Mark Pokras has been asking a difficult but important question: Why are common loons dying? After examining more than 5,000 loons, the answer is undeniable — lead fishing gear remains one of the leading causes of death.
Listen to Emiko Wong - Head Scientific Advisor for Wildlife Conservation and Veterinarian at the Biodôme in Montreal - explain the danger of lead fishing tackle on wildlife and our ecosystem.
Read what experts have to say about lead fishing tackle and the environment.
American Sportfishing Association - Position on Lead Fishing Tackle (pdf)
DownloadAvian Care & Research Foundation - 1993 Statement (pdf)
DownloadCanadian Veterinary Medical Association - Position on Lead Fishing Tackle (pdf)
DownloadEnvironment Canada - Study on Lead Sinkers and Jigs and Non-Lead Alternatives (pdf)
Download"Lead tackle is responsible for nearly half the deaths of adult loons in New Hampshire, a recent study found, reducing the bird's population in the state by 43 percent."
Study from the University of Maine found that lead is the leading cause of death of Loons overall from 1990-2016.
In response, Maine banned the use of lead jigs weighing 1oz or less and measuring 2.5 inches or less in 2017, making it the leader in lead-free tackle legislation.
Frontenac News - Wolfe Lake Association Wants All Fishers To "Get The Lead Out" (Apr 2022) (pdf)
DownloadLinks to Get The Lead Out Interviews and Video (pdf)
DownloadThe Mural - "Let's Get the Lead Out" to protect wildlife (May 2022) (pdf)
DownloadOntario Out Of Doors - Lead tackle buyback program offered (pdf)
DownloadOur Lakes - For The Love Of Loons (Feb 2022) (pdf)
DownloadTemagami Times - Fish Lead Free (jpg)
DownloadWLA Get The Lead Out Program (jpeg)
DownloadWolfe Lake 2022 FOCA Award Recipient (pdf)
DownloadThe Review Mirror - Wolfe Lake Association leads charge to reduce lead fishing tackle (pdf)
Download