As a new law expanding the ban on sales of certain sizes of lead tackle comes into effect, we are working to help tackle stores adapt and respond, by offering to buy their inventory. We’ve just had our first success story this week and wanted to share the news!
Thanks to a grant from Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund, Maine Audubon is working to do outreach and public education around this issue, and also to help retailers make this transition by offering to buy back current stock of painted lead jigs within the prohibited size range. (More info here >)
The new law now bans the sale of small sized painted lead jig heads that are less than 2.5 inches in length or weigh less than 1 oz. This is the first part of the phase out of these small lead jigs, with the use being prohibited starting in September 2026 (the use of bare lead jigs has been banned since 2017). Small sized lead fishing tackle too often leads to preventable deaths in loons throughout the state. Loons inadvertently ingest lead tackle in two ways: they ingest lead tackle that is already inside a fish or they pick up lead tackle on lake bottoms when they are picking up pebbles. Loons, similar to chickens, pick up rocks and pebbles to help digest food in their gizzard. The gizzard then slowly grinds pebbles and erodes the lead, which leaches out into their bloodstream. It only takes one small piece of lead for loons to experience the deathly effects of lead poisoning.
Maine Sport Outfitters, which has three locations in Rockport, Rockland, and Camden, just became our first retailer to participate in the new buyback program! Maine Sport Outfitters knew this law change was coming and proactively pulled its painted lead jig inventory from shelves at all three store locations. They were contemplating what to do with it and trying to figure out how to get rid of it, when a staff member saw a mention of our buyback program on the news. Maine Sport Outfitters reached out to us and we went right out to their store.
Since they had already pulled all the lead tackle within these size ranges, the buyback process was super easy! We loaded up a box full of their lead tackle and gave them the maximum store allotment of $450.
We were able to get a total weight of 13.2 lbs—which was 120 packages with 580 pieces of lead tackle—out of circulation. Now in Maine Audubon hands, this tackle will be recycled through Radius Recycling in Portland. This guarantees that this lead doesn’t end up in a landfill but is instead repurposed for other uses.
Help us spread the word and help our Maine fishing tackle stores out! Let your local tackle shop know about this program and encourage them to contact us at Maine Audubon. Email conserve@maineaudubon.org or call 207-781-2330 ext. 235.
