Table 4.

Recommendations for risk management strategy development for regulating lead fishing tackle. Developed from the review of existing international voluntary and legislative approaches found in Table S1 for this publication

Conclusions based on international efforts to date	Recommended instrument design features
Voluntary/education only approaches ineffective	Use a combination of legislation (regulatory restriction on lead sinker/jig sales and uses) with education to support regulation
Limited product restrictions based on size can be inadequate	If a size range is specified in the regulation, ensure that it covers ingestion hazard for all sizes that are typically ingested by receptors of concern, or restrict all sizes of lead terminal tackle (note that sizes specified in most existing legislation are based on heavily impacted species such as loons but other wildlife species and children can also ingest these lead products)
Risk management strategies that are very limited in geographical scope have little, if any, impact on the overall market for lead fishing gear. If the scope of the restriction excludes large numbers of the angling community, it will be ineffective in driving change	Restrictions should be applied at the state or national level wherever possible to ensure the fishing tackle market transitions from lead to lead-free non-toxic alternatives. Restrictions should apply equally to all anglers
Stockpiles of existing lead sinkers/jigs continue to be problematic years following introduction of restrictions	Restriction should be applied to both sale and use and be combined with effective enforcement. Enforcing a ban on uses also prevents the continued manufacture and use of home-made lead fishing weights and prevents purchasing from other jurisdictions that do not have restrictions on sales. Use education and enforcement, combined with buy-back programs, to ensure anglers cease use of lead in existing supplies. In some jurisdictions effective enforcement at the point of use may require cooperation between different levels of government
Lack of availability of non-lead alternatives for purchase by anglers and higher cost of alternatives can be a deterrent for switching to non-lead	Restrictions on sale ensure a guaranteed market for non-lead alternatives, hence manufacturers will produce them and retailers will stock them. Costs of non-lead alternatives expected to fall in any market with effective regulatory restrictions on lead due to increased economy of scale for non-lead options
Exclusions for coated lead products in some restrictions not supported by science, as coating is readily eroded after ingestion and is ineffective in limiting exposure or toxicity	Restrictions should not include exclusions for coated products
Wildlife are exposed to lead from multiple sources, toxicosis and mortalities occur from many	Coordinated action on a variety of lead products may be required for a comprehensive and effective risk management strategy