Fishing without lead
Leading the way or lagging behind?
Clever Float | Redaktion | Lesedauer 5-6min | Veröffentlicht: 01.11.2023
On the subject of fishing without lead - according to our online research - the first article appeared in the Saarbrücker Zeitung back in 2010. The Saarland Ministry of the Environment, the Fischereiverband Saar and the Naturschutzbund Saarland called for a voluntary renunciation of lead.
After more than 13 years, the signal effect hoped for at the time has unfortunately still developed little traction in the German angling community. Most anglers continue to rely on the usual lead.
Opinion on the expected EU lead ban
With three exemplary viewpoints, we cover the pros and cons surrounding the topic of lead.
1
Der ganz enge Fokus sagt, dass aus wissenschaftlicher Sicht von verlorenem Blei im Wasser keine Gefahr ausgeht. Das Blei korrodiert nach kurzer Zeit und setzt keine schädlichen Partikel frei (Dr. Thomas Meinelt, Gewässerökologe am Leibniz-Institut). Es verbleibt allerdings für immer auf dem Gewässergrund. Kleine Bleie könnten von Vögeln als Futter missverstanden werden. Das weitet den Blick ein klein wenig über den Tellerrand des Angelns hinaus.
2
From another perspective, fishing influencer Matze Koch highlights an essential point: Given that water protection and conservation are integral to angling, one shouldn't get bogged down in nitpicky arguments about lead. Instead, one should embrace lead-free fishing.
3
Karsten Jaszkowiak (founder of Fishingstone) broadens the perspective to the entire lifecycle of lead. The real poisoning of humans, animals, and the environment occurs along the path from extraction to production, transportation, storage, and handling. We at Clever Float align with this viewpoint.
Every piece of lead lost in the water has already done its poisoning elsewhere in full measure. We, as anglers, should distance ourselves from this chain.
Alternatives to lead
Fishingstone and we at Clever Float are currently the only two providers exclusively committed to lead-free fishing.
Numerous manufacturers are actively considering transitioning their product lines to "lead-free" and, in addition to the conventional lead products, are offering alternative materials. A voluntary commitment by the European Tackle and Trade Association (EFTTA) to offer alternative products (> 0.06g) dates back to 2015, with a target set for 2020.
The "current" status
The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) initiated a discussion in July 2019 about the risks associated with the use of lead in recreational fishing in Europe. Several rounds of consultation have taken place. A decision is pending.
In several countries, including the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, and England, phased bans have already been introduced. In Germany, there is currently a lull over all waters, and the topic is hardly discussed publicly at all.
The most recent statements can be found in specialist media, supplemented by reports from NDR and several daily newspapers. The latest statements from the associations date back to 2021.
Sollten wir in der nachfolgenden Artikelsammlung Äußerungen oder Aspekte übersehen haben, bitten wir um eine Mitteilung dazu: winfried@cleverfloat.de
Wir werden diese dann umgehend aufnehmen.
Sources: the subsequent articles and their respective citations.
We have created a brief summary for each reference. Clicking on the headline will take you to the original article.
