Glenn Hughes: ASA supports new bill protecting lead in fishing tackle

The body that represents the sportfishing industry in the US is supporting new legislation that seeks to protect the use of lead in fishing in the region.

The American Sportfishing Association (ASA) is backing the Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act which, if enacted, would prohibit the US Fish and Wildlife Service, the US Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management from banning the use of traditional tackle and ammunition on public lands.

Exceptions would only be made if such action were supported by the best available science and state fish and wildlife agencies.

The bill, introduced in response to a recent Fish and Wildlife Service rule that would ban traditional tackle on some National Wildlife Refuges, ensures that access is not unjustly prohibited and that anglers can continue to depend on the performance and affordability of lead.

In a statement supporting the introduction of the bill by Senator Steve Daines (Rep-Montana), the American Sportfishing Association (ASA) said that protecting traditional tackle is crucial for ensuring that anglers can continue to enjoy their sport.

“The sportfishing Industry is grateful to Senator Daines for introducing the act,” said ASA President Glenn Hughes (pictured). “Decisions about the tackle anglers are allowed to use must be based on science, not emotion.

“This bill will uphold state fish and wildlife agencies as the proper authorities to make science-based determinations around lead fishing tackle.”

The ASA is also encouraging others to voice their support of the bill and urge their senators to co-sponsor it here