Lead-Free Fishing in Marthas Vineyard

Project Details

Year: 2009
Location: Martha's Vineyard
Project Manager: Jim Miller, Environmental Program Coordinator, Wampanoag Tribe Natural Resources Division
Partners: The Martha's Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby, EPA

Information about the hazards of lead and feasible alternatives in fishing as well as samples of non-lead weights were distributed to the 2,500 participants in the five-week Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby from September 14th-October 19th 2008, and to 150 children at the Kids’ Trout Derby in May of 2009. The Tribe also worked with local tackle shops and charter captains to educate anglers and reduce their use of lead. The Tribe created appropriate project materials (posters, brochures), obtained and distributed non-lead fishing weights, produced a video on the project, and is continuing to work with tackle shops and charter captains to raise awareness and reduce lead use, is consulting with MassWildlife on possibility of statewide ban on lead sinkers under 0.5 ounce.