Lead Shot.

[Warden]

Got this of another site but still a good question,

"Has anyone seen any studies or surveys indicating if us switching away from lead has saved the birds?

Personally I haven't managed to find any non-toxic product that is anywhere near as good as lead, so was the switch worth it. I might even suggest that more line and tackle has been lost in the water due to the non toxic shot damaging line."

as I am too young to remember fishing with lead what was the basis for banning it.

[Deleted]

If I recall correctly the basis for banning lead shot wasn't so much due to ducks, coots or moorhens dying from lead poisoning but the swans, as they are protected under the monarchy.

Jon

[envagencyyorkshire]

Hello Warden,

This article (written in 2007) looks quite good:

conservation-issues.co.uk/Articles%20Pages/Wildfowl%20and%20Pollution%2001-07.htm

In summary, waterfowl swallow small stones to help them digest their food. This means that they are prone to picking up and swallowing discarded angling weights, as well as shotgun pellets. Once swallowed, some of the lead gets digested and can then damage the structure and function of many internal organs.

Most research in the UK has concentrated on the effects of lead on mute swans. Detailed surveys of mute swans in the UK showed numbers fell in the 1980s, at the same time as reports of lead poisoning were at their highest.

The UK Swan Sanctuary (http://www.theswansanctuary.org.uk/lead.php )
say that of the 3,000 swans a year that they see, they now treat about 2.5% for lead poisoning, compared with 86% that needed similar treatment before the 1986 ban.

As you suggest, lost or discarded tackle is also a problem for waterbirds – following our ‘Golden Rules’ information will reduce the risks to wildlife www.environment-agency.gov.uk/homeandleisure/recreation/fishing/31487.aspx

Jerome Masters

[envagencyyorkshire]

Much of the research in the UK has focussed on mute swans, but all waterfowl that swallow grit to help them digest their food are potentially affected in the same way. The 'Conservation Issues' report I've cited above includes some data for other species (North American ducks):

'Just 5 years after the banning of lead shot over Lake Catahoula in the USA in 1988, Moore et al. (1998) demonstrated that the proportion of diving ducks with lead shot in their gizzards had fallen from 27% to just 6%. These findings were mirrored by those of Samuel and Bowers (2000), who determined that between 1988 and 1999 in the Mississippi flyway the incidence of lead poisoning in American black ducks fell from 14.3% to 5.3%'


Jerome.