| Annually,
many tons of lead are deposited in wetlands worldwide through
hunting. Waterbirds tend to ingest these lead shot pellets.
Millions of birds are estimated to die each year because of
this. Large-scale die-offs drew the attention
to the issue already in the 1950s and 1960s, but it took several
decades until the issue was first internationally addressed.
Even today, the issue is still far from being widely acknowledged.
Through its Agreement text and the distribution of information,
AEWA is trying to change this situation.
Useful Internet links
and literature about this issue:
 |
|
Lead Poisoning in Waterbirds. International
Update Report 2000: This report, prepared by
Wetlands International with financial support from AEWA
and the United Kingdom Joint Nature Conservation Committee,
reviews the large-scale environmental problem of lead
shot ingestion by waterbirds. It presents an analysis
of responses to a questionnaire returned by 75 countries
(governments and NGOs) and 9 international organisations
world-wide. The analysis addresses the current state
of legislation concerning the use of lead shot, and
describes levels of lead shot awareness, coordination,
research and development. It also reviews relevant developments
since 1995. The report concludes with recommendations
to governments, non-governmental organisations, hunters'
associations and ammunition manufacturers. English version
is available as a pdf
file , or for purchase
in hard copy. For more information, please
contact the AEWA
Secretariat. |
Newsletter: In 2002, in preparation of the Second
Meeting of the Parties, the Agreement Secretariat published
a special issue of the AEWA Newsletter, entirely dedicated
to the lead shot issue. Its aim is to disseminate information
on this issue among all 119 Range States. It includes background
information, contributions of experts, hunters and policy
makers worldwide, and an update on meetings, new Agreement
developments etc. A copy of this Newsletter can be ordered
free of charge from the AEWA
Secretariat or can be downloaded here. (English
| French)
(550 / 560 KB in PDF Format)
|
