Anglers hope bill to ban lead weights sinks

SACRAMENTO — Lead fishing weights, some as small as pellets, are the focus of a big debate this legislative season in California, involving environmentalism, economics and the sport of fishing.

Assemblyman Bill Quirk, a Democrat from Hayward, introduced Assembly Bill 2787, which would outlaw the manufacture, sale and purchase of lead-based fishing weights under 50 grams (one and threequarter ounces).

Assemblyman James Gallagher, a Republican from Yuba City, said that, much like his objection to a lead ammunition ban signed into law in 2013, he opposes AB 2787 because there is little scientific evidence to support the claim that the environment is being impacted by trace amounts of lead.

Quirk, who has a doctorate in astrophysics, said that in his scientific opinion, there is enough evidence to justify the legislation to protect people and the environment.

“According to a study done by the state, people who fish for four hours with lead weights will get four micrograms of lead exposure ...” Quirk said. “Beyond that, we have studies that were done in New England and New York that indicate a substantial number of deaths of various birds were from lead.”

Quirk points specifically to the loon, a migratory species in California, as well as other birds that swallow small pebbles to help digest their food.