|
|
Duck Shot
|
 |
The
following section on environmental exposures is part of the
Australian input into an OECD document on lead. It shows the need
for action on lead shot, especially in NSW, Queensland and Tasmania.
Environmental
Exposures
Sources
of ecosystems or non-human exposure to lead include leaded petrol,
battery breaking plants, lead smelters, lead shot, and lead fishing
weights. These have impacted on water, air and soil quality and, in
turn, have impacted on aquatic and terrestrial (including avian)
life.
Lead
toxicosis, following ingestion of lead shot, has long been
recognised as a significant cause of mortality in waterfowl. As in
other countries, Australia has needed to deal with problems caused
in certain areas through the use of lead shot in hunting. For
example, following ingestion of lead shot, lead toxicosis has been
observed in Magpie geese, Black swans, several species of duck
(including Black duck and Musk duck) and Hardhead. The level of
ingestion of lead shot and the concentration of lead in the tissue
of several species of waterfowl has been shown to be above criteria
used in other countries at which action is taken.
To
date, there has been no national approach to reducing risks of lead
exposure to the non-human environment. As is generally the case with
chemicals management in Australia, action is initiated at the State
level.
Two
States do not allow waterfowl hunting and two States have partial
bans on the use of lead shot for waterfowl hunting. Monitoring in
three of the four States indicates that the level of ingestion of
lead shot is equal to or greater than the levels set in the US at
which management action is taken. In the remaining State, monitoring
has indicated that there are no known incidents at this stage (refer
to the following table for details).
The
rationale for these actions is primarily:
- domestic
scientific studies that have demonstrated elevated concentrations of
lead in waterfowl tissues;
- domestic
and overseas studies that demonstrate the consequences of elevated
concentrations of lead in waterfowl tissues;
- similar
actions undertaken in overseas countries have proven to be effective
in reducing the risk; and
- public
pressure from conservation groups in some States.
The
rationale behind the total bans on all waterfowl hunting is based on
animal welfare and conservation arguments and the type of shot is
secondary. At some hunting grounds, steel shot is obligatory and
consideration is being given elsewhere to voluntary use of steel and
other non toxic shot.
[Reference:
Risk Reduction Monograph No.1: Lead Background And National
Experience With Reducing Risk, Environment Directorate, Organisation
For Economic Co-Operation And Development (OECD), Paris 1993
pp143-144)]
|
State/Territory
|
Action
Undertaken
|
|
South
Australia
|
Partial
ban current, total ban possible by 1994.
|
|
Northern
Territory
|
Use of
lead shot is banned in two of its four hunting reserves and a
complete ban on use of lead shot for water fowl is proposed
from 1996.
|
|
Western
Australia
|
Hunting
of all waterfowl banned as of 1991.
|
|
Australian
Capital Territory
|
Hunting
of native wildlife banned.
|
|
Victoria
|
Following
consultations, proposal is to ban lead shot at some public
wetlands from 1993, ban lead shot for waterfowl from 1995
onwards throughout the State and undertake hunter education
and community education programmes to reduce impact.
|
|
Remaining
States
|
Situation
being monitored.
|
|
