Press Releases

On Wednesday, Congressman Jack Bergman sent a letter to Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer expressing concerns and requesting answers on the state’s plans to implement and enforce the 2023 Great Lakes Fishing Decree.

This Decree, which was approved by the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan last year, governs the allocation and management of fisheries between the state and local tribes. However, many conservation groups and anglers throughout Michigan have expressed concerns over the Decree’s potential to allow irreparable harm to lake trout, whitefish, and other species in the Great Lakes.

Rep. Bergman said, “I wholeheartedly recognize the importance of protecting Michigan Tribes’ access to commercial and subsistence fishing. Unfortunately, the 2023 Decree contains flawed and ambiguous language that could lead to the devastation of vulnerable fish populations in our waters if not addressed. The State of Michigan must have plans in place and take an active role to protect our fisheries and the thousands of Michiganders who rely on healthy fish populations for their livelihoods.”

Among other points, the letter requests details on how the state will work to enforce the Decree’s harvest limits, what its plan is to engage with local communities and organizations, and how the state will address the limitations of the Decree’s information sharing system.

The letter says, in part: “With the 2023 Great Lakes Fishing Decree currently in force and set to govern the allocation of resources for the next 24 years, it is essential that the State of Michigan has clear plans in place to address these areas of concern. Failure to do so could severely harm the health of Great Lakes fisheries and devastate the natural treasures, tourism, economies, and heritage of our local communities.”

To read the letter in its entirety, click HERE.