The New Hampshire House voted today 225-142 to pass New Hampshire Senate Bill 89.  This Bill, if signed by the Governor, will ban the sales of lead fishing weights and jig heads of one ounce or less. According to the Bill, lead sinkers refers to any kind of sinker made from lead that weighs one ounce or less; lead jig refers to lead weighted hooks that weigh one ounce or less.  Prohibited tackle includes jig heads that are painted, coated, or covered by some other substance or attached skirts. This includes lead core line, spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, spoons, poppers, plugs, or flies. The Bill passed the Senate vote earlier this year, but amendments made in the House will require that the Bill be returned to the Senate for another vote before it can go to the Governor. If the Bill passes, the law is slated to go into affect June 1, 2006, a year later than originally proposed. Supporters of the Bill argue that smaller lead weights and jig heads are responsible for increased numbers of loon deaths. Opponents to the Bill respond that there is no evidence to support these claims.

Given that New Hampshire has only 13 miles of coastline and the focus on loon deaths, it is likely that the Bill was constructed primarily with New Hampshire’s rivers and lakes in mind; however, legislative efforts to control anglers’ tackle options affect the Saltwater Nation and deserve more comprehensive research than appears to have been conducted in support of this Bill. Certainly, we support efforts to protect species like the loon, but outright banning of tackle requires substantial study beyond what the Bill supporters have offered thus far.

FISH ON!

 

fish, Fishing, Jigs, Legistalture, New Hampshire, Senate, Weight

By Sid

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