Calling it unacceptable, a group of U.S. lawmakers is urging Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau to address a breakdown in funding and function of the longstanding Great Lakes Fishery Commission, which coordinates fisheries research, controls invasive sea lamprey populations and facilitates cooperative fisheries management.
Fishing is big business for both the marine industry and tourism in all eight Great Lakes states and Canada. The eight states alone combine for one-third of the marine industry’s annual boat sales. Moreover, the recreational, commercial and tribal fisheries are collectively valued at more than $7.5 billion annually and support more than 75,000 jobs.
The Great Lakes Fishery Commission was established in 1955 by the Canadian/U.S. Convention on Great Lakes Fisheries. Its function is to coordinate fisheries research and control invasive species while facilitating cross-border fishery management programs among the states and provinces.
“It is our understanding,” the members of Congress wrote to Prime Minister Trudeau, “that this breakdown can be traced to the Canadian Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) which is the federal institution responsible for Canada’s custodial obligations to the Great Lakes Commission. We ask you to find a long-term solution to resume normal operations, while also respecting Canada’s sovereignty”
Both the U.S. and Canadian sections agree on what the problems are and are calling for change. To date, the Commission has not convened for more than a year, and regular programming for the Commission has not been set since November 2020.
“This situation is beyond troubling and, frankly, unacceptable,” asserted the U.S. lawmakers. “While acknowledging that the Canadian DFO recently agreed to finally provide the necessary funding for 2023, we are concerned that this development, although positive, is not indicative of the permanent change that is necessary to safeguard the Commission’s operations in the long-term; DFO acted only after it was subject to significant and sustained pressure from Members of Parliament.”
Notably, at least two jurisdictions border each of the five Great Lakes. Lake Superior is bordered by seven. It is notable that cooperation has not always been high on the agenda. Indeed, starting almost from the time Europeans settled the region, each jurisdiction managed its bordered portion of the lakes with little regard for any other jurisdictions. The result was management chaos, overfishing, habitat loss, and a great fishery decline. In such a parochial atmosphere, cross-border cooperation was essentially nonexistent.
Walleye, salmon, trout, bass and muskellunge, among other species, now comprise the world-class recreational fishery in the lakes that annually draws millions of anglers from throughout the world. The foundation for the commercial fishery includes whitefish, yellow perch, cisco and walleye. In addition, agencies stock fish in the Great Lakes each year using a centralized, comprehensive database of all stocked fish from artificial propagation into the Great Lakes.
The lawmakers concluded: “As an ally and a neighbor who jointly share the binational responsibility to protect these treasured waters, we respectfully bring this matter to your personal attention and hope you will address these concerns without delay.”
Moreover, full Great Lakes Fishery Commission, which includes more than 50 members of the Canadian Parliament, have asked that Melanie Joly, Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, be named to assume fiduciary responsibilities for the Commission.
The letter to prime Minster Trudeau was sent by the U.S. Congressional Great Lakes Task Force in the House, the co-chairs of which include: Rep. Dave Joyce (R-OH), Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), Rep. Bill Huizenga (R-MI), Rep. Lisa McClain (R-MI), Rep. Brian Higgins (D-NY), Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-WI), and Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI). It was also signed by 25 other members of the House.
