Congressman Tim Walberg is hailing U.S. House passage of legislation intended to 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, who co-sponsored the bill, says large-scale fish marking will allow for the better tracking of migratory patterns and population changes in the lakes. He says that would benefit everyone around the Great Lakes.
“Healthy and robust fisheries are vital to Michigan’s economy and our identity,” Walberg said. ” I’m pleased to see the House pass my bill, the Great Lakes Mass Marking Program Act, which will help us better track fish, population patterns, and the changes.”
Mass marking is the practice of tagging large numbers of hatchery-raised fish so we can easily distinguish them from the wild fish population. Right now, only about 40% of hatchery fish are marked, while this bill seeks to get that closer to 100%. Walberg says that will “ensure that we have the data necessary to preserve our Great Lakes fisheries, allowing families to continue creating meaningful and lasting memories outdoors.”
Co-sponsor Congressman Bill Huizenga says, “Establishing a Great Lakes Mass Marking Program will improve the effectiveness of our fisheries while enhancing the environmental, scientific, and recreational benefits that healthy fish populations provide.
