Abundance of lost and discarded fishing tackle and implications for waterbird populations in the United States

Abstract

Waterbirds have died of lead poisoning from ingesting lead sinkers in the United States and Europe. Other tackle and litter has also caused injury and mortality to waterbirds. Despite risks posed to waterbirds, no studies of the abundance of tackle or litter in freshwater systems of the United States have been completed. We tested the effectiveness of a metal detector to search for lost and discarded tackle, and developed a technique to correct densities of sinkers. We then quantified tackle and litter abundance at various sites around the United States. Tackle and litter densities varied among sites, but were generally highest in heavily fished areas. Based on the distribution of tackle in light of known mortalities caused by ingestion of sinkers, restrictive management of lead poisoning from sinkers may not be justified. However, lead is a toxic substance and its continued use when nontoxic alternative are available is not logical.