Walberg, Dingell, and Huizenga Introduce Great Lakes Mass Marking Program Act

Today, Representatives Tim Walberg (R-MI), Debbie Dingell (D-MI), and Bill Huizenga (R-MI) introduced the Great Lakes Mass Marking Program Act. The legislation would establish a program within the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to work with state and tribal governments to implement mass marking of fish at hatcheries in the Great Lakes. 

"The Great Lakes boast diverse wildlife and sustain a thriving $7 billion fishing industry," said Rep. Walberg. "Large-scale fish marking allows us to better track migratory patterns and population changes and improve conservation practices. By implementing the Great Lakes Mass Marking Program, we are ensuring that we have the tools to better understand and protect the long-term health of our fisheries." 

“Mass marking is the practice of tagging large numbers of hatchery-raised fish so we can easily distinguish them from the wild fish population. The implementation of this practice will help us better understand the fish populations of our Great Lakes and the cultural, economic, recreational, and food benefits they provide. Currently we only mark 41 percent of hatchery fish,” said Rep. Dingell. “This bill provides the tools needed to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to implement a mass marking program for every hatchery fish in the Great Lakes region, which will allow fishery managers to collect valuable, timely information, ultimately improving the effectiveness and efficiency of hatchery operations and fishery management.” 

“For anglers like myself, it should come as no surprise that recreational fishing in Michigan alone generates $3.9 billion for our economy. A Great Lakes Mass Marking Program 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,” said Rep. Huizenga. 

Congressman Walberg serves on the House Committee on Natural Resources' Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife, and Fisheries. For more information on his work in Congress, please visit walberg.house.gov.