The Hague, 14 December 2021
The Green Deal Lead-Free Recreational Fishing (2018, 2021) brought together efforts from the ministries of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality (LNV), Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS), Economic Affairs and Climate Policy (EZK) and Infrastructure and Water Management (I&W), the Association of Regional Water Authorities (Unie van Waterschappen), the Sportvisunie, Dibevo and Natuurmonumenten. At the bottom you can find the full final report and (partial) evaluations per track.
Behavioral change
The Green Deal carried out extensive communication about fishing without lead, on paper, on TV and online. Initially there was considerable resistance among clubs and anglers. That resistance decreased. More and more clubs are designating lead-free waters. They organize lead-free competitions, events and exchange actions. The number of recreational anglers who fish lead-free doubled.
Supply of lead alternatives
The supply of lead alternatives increased, but remains insufficient. The main task remains to increase availability and choice. The composition of alternatives also requires attention. Materials such as zinc, tin and copper raise questions. Clarification of undesirable materials should take place at the European level.
Loss of fishing lead
At the start of the Green Deal we used a rough estimate of annual loss of fishing lead: 470 tons in saltwater and 54 tons in freshwater (Deltares, 2013).
Recent fisheries research by the Centre for Fisheries Research/Wageningen Marine Research (CVO/WMR) now estimates the annual loss at just over 27 tons (salt) and just over 8 tons (fresh). Those figures show that the actual loss is lower than earlier assumptions.
Use of lead alternatives
Fisheries research by CVO/WMR shows that the number of recreational anglers who fish at least once a year with a lead alternative nearly doubled during the Green Deal period. In 2017, 116,000 anglers (10%) fished at least once with an alternative. In 2019 this was 147,000 (17%) and in 2020 it was 206,000 (17%). Anglers who fished lead-free did so on more fishing trips over the years.
European ban on fishing lead
The joint approach through the Green Deal demonstrates its value for raising awareness and changing behaviour. However, the Green Deal did not yet achieve the final goal.
The European Commission asked the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) for an inventory and, if necessary, a proposal for measures. ECHA proposed a full use and sales ban on fishing lead. All Green Deal partners support this initiative.
The Sportvisunie, the Association of Regional Water Authorities and the ministries I&W, VWS and LNV are exploring options to continue the collaboration. This will increase support for lead-free fishing and for a possible European ban.
Downloads
- Final report Green Deal Lead-Free Recreational Fishing
- (Partial) evaluation track 1 , Communication and awareness
- (Partial) evaluation track 2 , Pilot areas
- (Partial) evaluation track 3 , Sustainable and attractive alternatives
- Outcomes track 4 , Legislation
- Fisheries research Deltares 2013 , Emissions of lead
- Fisheries research CVO/WMR 2021 , Lead loss and use of alternatives
- Deltares report 2018 , Baseline documentation priority substances WFD
Read the final report for all conclusions and recommendations about fishing without lead.