Congressmen Tim Walberg and Bill Huizenga have joined Democratic Congresswoman Debbie Dingell to introduce new legislation intended to help better understand fish populations in the Great Lakes.
The Great Lakes Mass Marking Program Act would establish a program within the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to work with state and tribal governments to implement mass marking of fish at hatcheries in the Great Lakes. Walberg says large-scale fish marking will allow for the better tracking of migratory patterns and population changes in the lakes.
“Large-scale fish marking will provide us with the data we need to better understand and improve fishing practices,” Walberg said.
Dingell says the program will help the Fish and Wildlife Service implement a mass marking program for every hatchery fish in the Great Lakes region, which will allow for more effective hatchery management.
Huizenga says the legislation “would propel the economy and ecology of the Great Lakes even further, ensuring our incredible fisheries are better able to enhance the environmental, scientific, economic, and recreational benefits of healthy fish populations.”
Walberg serves on the House Committee on Natural Resources’ Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife, and Fisheries.
