WTVB: Walberg, Dingell and Huizenga introduce Fish Mass Marking bill

Michigan U.S. Representatives Tim Walberg, Debbie Dingell and Bill Huizenga have introduced a bipartisan measure called the Great Lakes Mass Marking Program Act.

According to a statement from Walberg’s office, the legislation 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 points out large-scale fish marking will allow for the better tracking of migratory patterns and improve conservation practices.

Dingell says mass marking is the practice of tagging large numbers of hatchery-raised fish so they can be easily distinguished from the wild fish population.

She adds currently only 41 percent of hatchery fish are marked.