Great Lakes Fishery Commission

Great Lakes Fishery Commission
Name	Great Lakes Fishery Commission
Founded	1955
Location	Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States
Key people	Robert Lambe (Chair), David Ullrich (Executive Secretary)
Website	www.glfc.org

Great Lakes Fishery Commission is a binational agency established by the Convention on Great Lakes Fisheries between the United States and Canada. Its primary mandate is to coordinate fisheries research, control the invasive sea lamprey, and facilitate cooperative fishery management among the state, provincial, tribal, and federal agencies across the Great Lakes basin. The commission plays a critical role in sustaining the ecological health and economic vitality of the world's largest freshwater ecosystem.

History

The commission was formally created in 1955 following the ratification of the Convention on Great Lakes Fisheries, a direct response to the catastrophic collapse of native fish stocks like lake trout and the devastating invasion of the sea lamprey. This invasion, which entered the lakes through improved shipping canals like the Welland Canal, decimated commercial fisheries in the mid-20th century. Early efforts focused on emergency chemical control of the lamprey, pioneered by scientists from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Fisheries Research Board of Canada. The signing of the convention by leaders like President Dwight D. Eisenhower and Prime Minister Louis St. Laurent marked a landmark in Canada–United States relations and international resource management.

Mission and objectives

The core mission is to achieve healthy and sustainable Great Lakes fish communities through binational cooperation. Key objectives include the complete control of the sea lamprey to protect native species, the coordination of fisheries science and management policies across jurisdictions, and the support of joint research initiatives. The commission also facilitates the implementation of A Joint Strategic Plan for Management of Great Lakes Fisheries, a guiding framework adopted by all partner agencies. This plan aims to restore native species, manage stock assessments, and address emerging threats to the ecosystem.

Organizational structure

The commission consists of eight commissioners, with four appointed by the President of the United States and four by the Governor in Council of Canada. It is supported by a secretariat headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Key committees include the Sea Lamprey Control Committee and the Fishery Management Committee, which integrate science from agencies like the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry. The commission works directly with entities such as the Chippewa Ottawa Resource Authority and the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission to uphold treaty rights.

Key programs and initiatives

The flagship program is the Sea Lamprey Control Program, which employs lampricide treatments, barriers, and trapping in tributaries across the basin. The commission also oversees the Fishery Research Program, funding studies on species like walleye, lake whitefish, and Chinook salmon. A major initiative is the support of fish stocking and rehabilitation efforts for lake sturgeon and lake trout led by agencies like the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Collaborative projects with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and Fisheries and Oceans Canada address issues like habitat degradation and climate change.

Challenges and controversies

Persistent challenges include the ongoing threat of new invasive species such as Asian carp and quagga mussels, which alter the food web. Controversies have occasionally arisen over the use of chemical lampricides, with concerns from environmental groups about non-target impacts. Balancing the management of Pacific salmon introduced for sport fishing with the restoration of native species has also been complex. Jurisdictional complexities among the multitude of management agencies and evolving pressures from watershed development and industrial pollution present continual governance hurdles.

Impact and significance

The commission's work is widely credited with saving the Great Lakes fishery from collapse, enabling the multi-billion dollar sport fishing and commercial fishing industries to thrive. Its binational model is studied globally as a successful example of transboundary water management. The suppression of the sea lamprey has allowed for the remarkable recovery of species like lake trout in Lake Superior and Lake Huron. The commission's science coordination has been essential for addressing crises like algal blooms in Lake Erie and has strengthened international frameworks like the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement.

Category:Great Lakes Category:Canada–United States relations Category:Fisheries organizations