THERE is no argument that lead is a harmful substance. Fishing is a rare recreational activity that is still laden with lead use. Many other industries have banned the substance; it is a little odd that fishing is late to the party. It’s been over 50 years since lead was phased out of paint in Australia because of the known consequences. I find it strange how the old blonde eye has been turned for this particular pass time. I did some research into some of the impacts studied and found some fairly telling evidence that it is time to move in a different direction.
Lead lost from fishing tackle is a persistent pollutant in waterways, with overseas studies showing it can both leach into sediments and be ingested by fish and waterbirds. Fish may ingest small sinkers directly or accumulate lead from contaminated sediments, storing it in their tissues; predators then absorb this lead when they consume contaminated prey, allowing it to move up the food chain. Research from North America and Europe shows that waterbirds often swallow lead sinkers as grit, and that even a single ingested weight can cause acute lead poisoning and death, contributing to elevated adult mortality rates in some freshwater bird populations. Together, these findings demonstrate how lead fishing tackle can impact aquatic ecosystems well beyond the point where it is lost.
In response to well-documented ecological impacts, some jurisdictions have moved to prohibit lead fishing tackle altogether. In the United Kingdom, the sale and use of most small lead fishing sinkers has been banned since the late 1980s after studies linked lead ingestion to high mortality rates in swans and other waterbirds. In the United States, Yellowstone National Park banned lead fishing sinkers after evidence showed waterbirds were ingesting lost tackle, leading to fatal lead poisoning in a protected ecosystem where even small impacts are unacceptable. By comparison, Australia, with some of the world’s most pristine rivers and waterways is clearly lagging behind, despite the availability of effective non-toxic alternatives. Protecting natural river systems and aquatic ecology should be a priority, particularly when the environmental cost is avoidable.
I’ve seen how this loss accumulates firsthand. While snorkelling along fishing hotspots in populated areas like jetties, safe rock-fishing and break walls, I’ve found cracks and holes in rocks where hundreds of lead sinkers have collected, rolled together by swell and tides over time. In some spots the concentration is so high that I’ve been able to scoop them into my wetsuit and reuse them for fishing, which shows just how significant the build-up can be in certain locations rather than being evenly spread.
Despite this, lead in recreational fishing is rarely talked about. NSW Health advises that anglers should wash their hands after handling lead sinkers, acknowledging the exposure risk, yet in reality many fishers will handle a sinker, then carry on grabbing a sandwich to chuck down their gob., allowing lead residue to go straight into the system without contemplation.
Hook’em Tackle has developed a non lead sinker that is available in all leading tackle stores around Australia. I sampled the round moulds that have clearly labelled weights to know exactly what you are tying on. The hole is also wide enough that it won’t close over. The metal used is significantly less malleable than lead, meaning that they are less prone to their shape being manipulated.
Using the non-lead option is a no-brainer. You won’t notice the difference in price. They are far safer for all parties.
Hook’Em have also developed a non-lead deep-drop bomb (up to 4kg) and long sinker that are fantastic options for your downrigger or deep baits. They are streamlined for their long voyage to the bottom and have an easy tie-on point for your line.
With Australia currently having no regulations it is currently up to consumers to force the hand of supply and demand. I encourage you all to think broadly about your health and the environment to make more conscious decision and choose non toxic options like Hook’Em have delivered.
