"Our communities here in Western New York enjoy and rely on the health of our Great Lakes"

Over the last decade, the Lake Erie walleye population has produced strong hatches resulting in increased numbers of sublegal (< 15 inches) walleye being caught by anglers. Most of Lake Erie’s walleye fishery occurs at depths greater than 30 feet, causing walleye to experience barotrauma. Barotrauma is tissue damage, including bulging eyes and a protruding stomach, caused when fish are reeled up from deep water. DEC is considering lowering the minimum size limit for walleye in Lake Erie from 15 inches to 12 inches. This would provide offshore anglers the option to keep previously sublegal fish that have a very poor chance of survival. This change is expected to result in a modest increase in harvest in some years as well as increased fishing opportunities for shore and harbor anglers.

Taking this very short survey will help us determine if a 12 inch minimum size is an acceptable option for Lake Erie walleye anglers.

Take the Survey Here >

NYSERDA has released its feasibility study in regards to the Great Lakes Wind project. Based on this release of the study it would appear that at this time it is not viable to place wind turbines in Lakes Erie and Ontario based on several factors including and not limited to overall costs, supply chain issues, port access, inter-connects, site placement, fishery data, bird and bat data, human usage for recreation data and lastly contaminates from the bottom of the lake being re-suspended into the water column. More information will follow but this is the first step in ensuring the safety and protection of our Great Lakes resources for current and future generations.

Please find a link to the complete report here for reference below.

New York State Great Lakes Wind Energy Feasibility Study

Canada, which had been under-funding the agreement for years, is now fully compliant

ANN ARBOR, MI—The Canada-U.S. Great Lakes Fishery Commission today applauded the Canadian government for including full funding to implement the 1954 Convention on Great Lakes Fisheries, a treaty between the two nations. Under the treaty, Canada and the United States agree to fund the Commission consistent with a funding formula. For several years, Canada had been under funding the Commission; such underfunding has undermined Great Lakes science, cross-border cooperation, and control of the invasive, destructive sea lamprey. With today’s Canadian budget, the two nations are now funding the Commission at the agreed-to level with the goal of protecting and improving the $7 billion Great Lakes fishery.

In 1954, Canada and the United States signed the Convention on Great Lakes Fisheries, a treaty that created the Great Lakes Fishery Commission (www.glfc.org). Both nations agreed to a formula to fund the Commission’s work, which includes supporting science for fishery management decisions; helping the states, the Province of Ontario, and the tribes coordinate their myriad fishery management policies; and carrying out a sea lamprey control program. Sea lampreys invaded the Great Lakes through shipping canals in the early 20th century and wreaked economic and ecological havoc. Each sea lamprey will kill up to 40 pounds of Great Lakes fish. The treaty requires the Commission to carry out a coordinated sea lamprey control program, which it does in partnership with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Today, thanks to the Commission’s programs, sea lamprey populations have been reduced by more than 90%, science underpins decisions, and the management agencies coordinate their actions.

“The treaty’s success has depended on both nations funding the Commission’s work,” said James McKane, the Commission’s vice-chair. “Prior to today’s budget, Canada had been contributing less than was required. The all-party Parliamentary Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River Task Force, cochaired by Vance Badawey, MP and Senator Jane Cordy, has made Commission funding a top priority. The Great Lakes Fishery Commission appreciates Mr. Badawey’s and Senator Cordy’s leadership in securing these funds. I am now happy to have the ability to sit with my U.S. counterparts on this important commission as an equal partner. With full funding from Canada now secured, we are eager to ratchet up our work to improve and protect this incredible resource.”

Republished from the Great Lakes Fishery Commission