Legislation Would Fund Great Lakes Fisheries Research

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Congressman Fred Upton says legislation that would help to protect the Great Lakes is likely to go on to final approval with the president’s signature. He tells us the Great Lakes Fishery Research Authorization Act was approved by the House last week and then was sent to the Senate. The act provides the U.S. Geological Survey’s Great Lakes Science Center with funding to conduct monitoring, assessments, and research of fisheries between the United States and Canada within the Great Lakes Basin. Upton says the plan has support from both sides of the aisle.

“As it relates to the research of fisheries, monitoring of fish throughout the Great Lakes, working with Canada,” Upton said. “We rely on these fisheries. It was important bipartisan legislation and it passed by an overwhelming margin.”

Upton introduced the act with Congressman Mike Quigley of Illinois. He says the language from this legislation will replace the current Great Lakes Science Center authorization, which is viewed by many as vague. Upton notes passage of the fishery research act goes hand in hand with the approval of funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.