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Lawmakers consider additional fishing tackle restrictions to curb lead poisoning in Maine loons

FILE - In this July 2007 file photo, a loon with a chick on its back makes its way across Pierce Pond near North New Portland, Maine.
Pat Wellenbach
/
AP
FILE - In this July 2007 file photo, a loon with a chick on its back makes its way across Pierce Pond near North New Portland, Maine.

Lawmakers are considering additional restrictions on fishing tackle in order to help curb lead poisoning in the state's loon population.

In 2013, Maine passed a law banning the sale of certain lead sinkers and unpainted jigs, after lead poisoning was shown to be a leading cause of death among loons. But conservation groups say that sales of small, painted lead jigs are still allowed, and a new bill would ban the practice.

The measure faces opposition from several sports fishing groups, who point to the additional upfront expense of switching out fishing gear. And while the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife says it supports the bill, the agency's Francis Brautigam acknowledged the additional costs.

"I think over the years, anglers have accumulated quite a bit of lead in their tackle boxes. And there are some cost differentials, in looking at purchasing and upgrading to the alternatives. So there is an initial out of pocket cost that the angling public will bear," Brautigam said.

The state and Maine Audubon have launched a program where anglers can exchange lead fishing tackle for a voucher to purchase lead-free alternatives.

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SOMOS CONNECTICUT es una iniciativa de Connecticut Public, la emisora local de NPR y PBS del estado, que busca elevar nuestras historias latinas y expandir programación que alza y informa nuestras comunidades latinas locales. Visita CTPublic.org/latino para más reportajes y recursos. Para noticias, suscríbase a nuestro boletín informativo en ctpublic.org/newsletters.

The independent journalism and non-commercial programming you rely on every day is in danger.

If you’re reading this, you believe in trusted journalism and in learning without paywalls. You value access to educational content kids love and enriching cultural programming.

Now all of that is at risk.

Federal funding for public media is under threat and if it goes, the impact to our communities will be devastating.

Together, we can defend it. It’s time to protect what matters.

Your voice has protected public media before. Now, it’s needed again. Learn how you can protect the news and programming you depend on.

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