Great Lakes Mass Marking Program Act of 2025
In committeeGreat Lakes Mass Marking Program Act of 2025 This bill provides statutory authority for a program of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) for the mass marking of hatchery-produced fish in the Great Lakes basin. Mass marking is the practice of tagging large numbers of hatchery-produced fish in order to distinguish them from the wild fish population. The FWS initiated the program in 2010 on a limited scale. Under the existing program, the FWS (1) tags hatchery-produced fish stocked in the Great Lakes, and (2) produces data used by state and tribal fish management agencies to make management decisions regarding Great Lakes fisheries. This bill allows the FWS, in carrying out the program, to (1) purchase items to support and carry out tagging and tag recovery operations on a greater scale, and (2) hire additional personnel. The FWS must make the data collected under the program available to applicable federal, state, and tribal fish management agencies to increase the understanding of the outcomes of management action; assist in meeting the restoration objectives of the Great Lakes; assist in balancing predators and prey; support and improve the economic status of tribal, recreational, and commercial fisheries; and assist in evaluating the effectiveness of habitat restoration efforts in the Great Lakes.
Jul 23, 2025Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
Passed
The Great Lakes Mass Marking Program Act of 2025 establishes a program within the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to mark hatchery-produced fish in the Great Lakes. It aims to improve fishery management and support economic activities related to the Great Lakes. The bill authorizes $5 million annually from 2026 to 2030 for this purpose.