EDITOR:

As ice fishing season winds down, we look forward to another year of warm weather fishing in Michigan. Few would disagree that our state is known for its stream, lake and Great Lakes fisheries. We are proud of an historic activity that provides our citizens with so much enjoyment and is part of the $5.1 billion annual fishing economy of the Great Lakes.

It is now with great concern that our fishing heritage is being threatened by policies of the current administration. Since 1957, under a joint Canadian/US Great Lakes Fishery Commission, the sea lamprey control program has reduced populations of the lethal, invasive sea lamprey by 90%. If left uncontrolled, lamprey kill more than one hundred million pounds of valuable fish annually. Affected species include walleye, lake trout, salmon, perch, brown and rainbow trout and whitefish. Sea lamprey control has been a phenomenal natural resource management success.

Much of this work is undertaken by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) with operations based in Ludington and Marquette. Twelve lamprey control employees were recently fired by the Republican administration, effectively reducing sea lamprey control capacity in our Great Lakes this year and possibly forever. A single lamprey destroys some 40 pounds of fish in its life demonstrating its disastrous effects on fish if left unchecked. A single female produces 100,000 eggs showing its capacity to quickly bounce back if not controlled. In 2020, due to the COVID pandemic, Lake Ontario treatment was eliminated which resulted in a 100,000 increase in adult lamprey. These lamprey were responsible for killing at least 4 million pounds of fish, in just one lake and after only a 1-year pause in control. Also, due to COVID, Lakes Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Superior only had about 25% of the normal treatment, which also resulted in substantial increases of lamprey. Similar devastating results should be expected if sea lamprey control is diminished or eliminated due to actions of the current administration.

In addition to the dozen USFWS employees who were fired, several took the DOGE buyout, leaving the agency’s lamprey work further diminished. Though a federal court judge has recently ordered previously fired employees be reinstated, several USFWS workers have already found jobs elsewhere and are not returning. Even if all of these employees could be brought back, federal agencies will likely soon be undergoing a mandatory Reduction In Force (RIF) order that will continue to reduce staff and limit their ability to effectively carry out their missions.

It would seem obvious to any Michigan angler that the reduced capacity and potential loss of the bi-national sea lamprey control program will have a devastating effect on one of our favorite pastimes, resulting in a ruinous impact to the Great Lakes ecosystem and our way of life. Please let your voice be heard in Washington.

Gregg Bruff

Escanaba