Number

121-EN

Section

General Section

Use

Abstract

The report evaluates the possibility of finding alternatives for lead in fishing nets that are economically and technically feasible. They have tested several types of metal like zinc, iron, lead, copper and brass. Zinc and iron seem to be the best alternatives. To find substitutes that provide sensible environmental gain, which result in better working environment and has a competitiveness that can provide a reasonable market potential as well as news value within the industry.

Substituted substances

Alternative Substances

Reliability of information

Internet information: data are from an internet document and only a basic and partial evaluation could be performed

Reason substitution

CMR
ecotoxicity

Hazard Assessment

Substances to be substituted: Lead may damage fertility or the unborn child, causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure, is very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects, may cause cancer, is very toxic to aquatic life and may cause harm to breast-fed children. The substance is: 1A or 1B carcinogen (CLP Regulation) as listed in the Substance Database according to SUBSPORTplus Screening Criteria (SDSC). Alternative substance: The alternatives are not included in in the database of hazardous substances according to SUBSPORTplus screening criteria (SDSC) and have no harmonised classification according to Annex VI of Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP Regulation).

Description of Substitution

The purpose of the project was to find a substitution for lead that is both less hazardous, recyclable and handled environmentally correct throughout the products life cycles. The purpose was also to find new manufacturing methods and, where appropriate, new methods for the use of fishing gear in order to avoid lead. The idea was to use known materials, composites and methods as well as to elaborate on achievements, knowledge and ideas obtained from earlier experiments. Zinc may be able to replace all existing lead products, whereas iron can only partially replace lead products due to the properties of the material (i.e. flexibility - rusting). The project partners came to the conclusion, as regards seines (barrel weights/not/lead to be squeezed on the line) that it is possible to produce alternative barrel weights which can replace the lead weights so far being used in fishing industry. Barrel weights in seining are expected to be an alternative, if barrel weights are manufactured in a specific zinc alloy (pressure cast). This, however, needs to be examined more. It has not been possible to find replacements for lead to be squeezed on the line. Sink lines: - there are no alternatives to pearl lead lines ready for production. Draught nets: - there are no alternatives to pearl lead lines in draught net. The project team expects that when a solution is found for sink lines, this alternative would also be suitable alternative in draught nets. A conservative estimate shows an additional economic burden for the Danish fishing industry – calculated on cost prices – on minimum 32 million Danish crowns (approx. 4 mill Euros). The conversion of suppliers processing equipment has to be added to this. In other words, there is about a tenfold increase of the industry's costs, in the context of reorientation of the current use of lead products. The working group on lead recommends that the Danish Ministry of the Environment shall proceed to experiments with extrusion of pearl liner.

Case/substitution evaluation

The study shows that there are suitable alternatives, mainly based on zinc alloys, to substitute lead in fishing equipment. This would mean a reduction of a substance harmful to the water environment. Zinc alloys require significant adjustments to the machines that for now produce lead weights for fishing nets and iron will corrode in salt water.

State of implementation

Not in use

Type of information supplier

Authority

Publication source: author, company, institute, year

Miljøstyrelsen - The Danish EPA Strandgade 29 DK-1401 København K Denmark mailto:mst@mst.dk mst@mst.dk http://www.mst.dk

Publication source

Type of publication and availability

http://www2.mst.dk/Udgiv/publikationer/2007/978-87-7052-529-9/pdf/978-87-7052-530-5.pdf

Date, reviewed

December 11, 2020