House Passes Peters’ Bipartisan Legislation to Bolster Great Lakes Fishery Research and Management

WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. House of Representatives passed bipartisan legislation led by U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) to bolster Great Lakes fishery research and management efforts. The Great Lakes Fisheries Research Reauthorization Act would reauthorize funding for the U.S. Geological Survey's (USGS) Great Lakes Science Center for another five years, helping to ensure that they are able to continue conducting critical research that supports Great Lakes fisheries. Peters introduced the legislation with U.S. Senator Jon Husted (R-OH). The bipartisan bill previously passed the Senate unanimously, and it now moves to the President to be signed into law.

"I'm grateful to my colleagues in the House for taking action to pass this important legislation. The Great Lakes Science Center helps protect the freshwater fisheries and habitats that are invaluable economic and ecological assets for Michigan and the entire Great Lakes Region," said Senator Peters, Co-Chair of the Senate Great Lakes Task Force. "I'm pleased to see this bill is one step closer to becoming law, and I'll never stop fighting to support our Great Lakes."

"The health and sustainability of the $5.5 billion annual Great Lakes fishery relies on the availability of a solid scientific understanding of what is happening in the freshwater environment. The Great Lakes Fishery Research Authorization Act has been and continues to be an essential tool for all those who work to keep the Great Lakes ecosystem strong. The Great Lakes community owes a huge debt of thanks for Senator Peters and his Senate and House Colleagues for their tireless work to advance and pass this critical legislation. The passage of GLFRAA has again put that scientific understanding on a more stable footing for years to come," said Ethan Baker, Chair of the Great Lakes Fishery Commission.

Activities carried out by the Great Lakes Science Center include:

• Conducting surveys of both native and invasive fish populations in the Great Lakes. This data helps USGS, along with tribal, state, and local partners, to develop effective strategies for protecting and managing fisheries.

• Development of reintroduction plans for culturally and ecologically significant fish populations, which are essential for the long-term health of the Great Lakes.

• Testing and development of technologies that assist in research.

Peters has been a steadfast supporter of the Great Lakes, advocating for policies that safeguard Michigan waters, support local economies, and enhance environmental protections. In 2019, Peters led the effort to secure the authorization for the Great Lakes Science Center that Peters' Great Lakes Fisheries Research Reauthorization Act would extend. Earlier this year, Peters introduced the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) Act of 2025 to reauthorize and expand resources for the GLRI program, which has carried out the most significant investment ever made to restore our Great Lakes.

As Co-Chair of the Senate Great Lakes Task Force, Peters plays a key role in uniting Great Lakes Basin states to coordinate legislative initiatives, funding priorities, and oversight efforts to address the most important issues facing the Great Lakes, such as invasive species, environmental contamination, shoreline erosion, water quality, infrastructure needs, and more.

###

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Tweet