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Terminal Tackle
AMERICAN EEL REVIEW (from page 28)
Purchasing Report
The USFWS is seeking any new information about the
species’ biology, range, population abundance and trends,
genetics and taxonomy, and threats (loss or modification of
habitat, over-utilization, disease or predation, existing regulatory
mechanisms, and other natural or manmade factors), which will
be analyzed for the review.
In an article published in the January/February issue of
Fishing Tackle Retailer magazine, a report was given on a
study done by Southwick Associates, the major company that
tracks consumer activities and spending trends in the outdoor
industry.
The article notes that, although “not the coolest fishing
equipment” terminal tackle is a necessary item for every angler’s
tackle box.
Not couting lures (which are tracked separately), consumers
spend $646 million annually on terminal tackle, which includes
hooks, sinkers, swivels, rigs, bobbers and leaders of all types
(mono, steel and fluorocarbon).
Over 80% of all terminal tackle purchases were for hooks,
with sinkers in second place at 53%.
It was noted that just because an item is not frequently
purchased, it does not mean it isn’t frequently used. For example,
items like bobbers can be used over multiple trips, and therefore
don’t need replenishing as often as hooks.
As explained in the 2011 90-day petition finding, the USFWS
is using the previous 2007 status review (which found listing
the American eel was not warranted) as the baseline for the
current status review.
Therefore, the USFWS is particularly seeking information
about the following categories because they represent
information that may challenge the USFWS’ previous
assumptions about the American eel and have the most potential
to change the outcome of the status review:
• Panmixia (having one, well-mixed breeding population) and
population structure, such that a threat could have
differentiating effects on portions of the population and not
the whole species;
• Statistically significant long-term glass eel recruitment
declines;
• Correlations between climate change and glass eel
recruitment; and
• Climate predictions over the next 25 to 100 years as they
relate to ocean circulation, changes in the Sargasso Sea
circulation, sea surface temperature, and larval and glass eel
food availability.
The report also provided the most popular brand names for
terminal tackle purchased, but noted that there are differences
between freshwater and saltwater tackle.
2013 Top Brands in Terminal Tackle
FRESHWATER ANGLERS
Hooks: Eagle Claw/Lazer Sharp, Mustad, Gamakatsu,
Owner
Swivels: Eagle Claw, Bass Pro Shops brand, Berkley
Leaders: Eagle Claw, Seaguar, Berkley
Sinkers: Bullet Weights, Eagle Claw, Water Gremlin
New information will be accepted throughout the status
review process, but information received as soon as possible
will be of the most help to the review.
Information should be submitted to Steve Shepard, the lead
field biologist for the American eel status review, at:
Maine Ecological Services Field Office
17 Godfrey Drive, Suite 2
Orono, Maine 04473-3702.
SALTWATER ANGLERS
Hooks: Eagle Claw/Lazer Sharp, Mustad, Gamakatsu,
Owner
Swivels: Eagle Claw, SPRO, Sampo
Leaders: Seaguar, Ande, TripleFish
Sinkers: Bullet Weights, Bass Pro Shops brand,
Water Gremlin
All data and information submitted to the USFWS, including
names and addresses, will become part of the administrative
record.
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R.I.S.A.A. / February, 2014