Predator Tour in 2019 lead-free!

In May 2018 the Green Deal “Angling lead-free” was executed. This agreement among several Departments of State, the Union of Waterboards, Natuurmonumenten, a nature preservation organization, DIBEVO, the trade organisation for pet shops and the Dutch Angling Association “Sportvisserij Nederland” aim to gradually reduce and later ban the use of lead for angling purposes. During the next three years it is intended to reduce use of lead by 30% and after that period we will ban the use of lead completely, in the seven following years.

Lead is mostly used by anglers who need to cast their baits in order to keep it at a certain, stable place under water. At times lead is lost and waisted in waters. Lead is an environmentally undesired material, and in some circumstances poisonous for people and animals. That’s why for certain other purposes the use of lead is already prohibited, like in gasoline, paint, water pipes and hunting. In angling the use of lead sofar has not been prohibited.

A better environment starts with yourself 

The Dutch Angling Association promotes a clean water environment for quite some time. In that effort it is fair to say that lead does not belong in our waters. Sportvisserij Nederland and the associated regional angling associations have decided as a next step to find alternatives and to commence reduction of the use of lead. A widly known: a better environment starts with yourself! “Sportvisserij Zuidwest Nederland” (an angling federation in the South West of the Netherlands (South Holland, Zealand, and North Brabant with 220 angling associations and 160.000 anglers) decided to stimulate angling competitions on a lead-free basis. Earlier, last October 2018, the World Crank Cup (an international predatory fish angling competition with cranks only), which is held in the waters around National Park “De Biesbosch”, was already organised on a lead-free basis.

Social responsibility

Good examples will be followed. That is why we agreed with Evert Oostdam, director of Pike Master Lures B.V., as another good example with exposure, that the Predator Tour 2019-edition will be organised lead free as well. The Predator Tour is the biggest competition of Western Europe of its kind and the event lasts for three days. This Predator Tour, aiming for fish like Zander, Pike and Perch – with more than 120 boats in competition – is held every year. Sportvisserij Zuidwest Nederland is proud that people like Evert Oostdam (a pioneer and ambassador in Dutch angling) is committed to this social responsibility. We hope that also other tournaments and competitions will follow this example, either in predatory angling, angling at sea, along canals, lakes and ponds.

Change of culture at all levels

Our goal is to achieve another mindset among anglers, not only at the highly esteemed competitions (like the Predator Tour) but also at other levels. That is why it is of importance that the ambassadors of angling advocate lead-free angling. Of course Sportvisserij Zuidwest Nederland,our sister federations, Sportvisserij Nederland and partners of the Green Deal will work together with producers, distributors, and other companies to produce, distribute and sell lead-free angling materials to achieve this change of culture. It is our intention to achieve this in a friendly manner; e.g. by informing, stimulating and reaching agreements instead of enforcement. It takes time to change culture but we are convinced that it will be gradually embraced. Evert Oostdam already contributes his stake by organising a lead-free Predator Tour. This serves as a great example for other competitions and tournaments.

Björn Schutz

Director of Sportvisserij Zuidwest Nederland