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The House of Representatives today passed the Great Lakes Mass Marking Act, led by Representatives Debbie Dingell (MI-06), Bill Huizenga (MI-04), co-chairs of the Great Lakes Task Force, and Tim Walberg (MI-05), member of the Great Lakes Task Force.

This legislation would mass mark all hatchery-produced fish. Currently, the United States tags only 9 to 11 million of the 21 million fish stocked each year. By marking all hatchery fish, mass marking will improve data collection, enabling better analysis of the health of wild fish stocks. This would provide valuable insights to help develop a science-based, collaborative fishery management program. With the Great Lakes fishing economy valued at around $7 billion, this data-driven approach could significantly enhance the sustainability and effectiveness of hatchery operations and fisheries management. 

View Rep. Dingell's remarks on the bill on the House floor here.

“Mass marking is the practice of tagging large numbers of hatchery-raised fish so we can easily distinguish them from the wild fish population. Currently, we only mark 41 percent of hatchery fish. The implementation of mass marking will help us better understand the fish populations of our Great Lakes and the cultural, economic, recreational, and food benefits they provide,” said Rep. Dingell. “This bill provides the tools needed to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to implement a mass marking program for every hatchery fish in the Great Lakes region, which will allow fishery managers to collect valuable, timely information, ultimately improving the effectiveness and efficiency of hatchery operations and fishery management. I’m proud it passed the House, and will continue to work across the aisle with my colleagues to get it signed into law.” 

“Recreational fishing generates significant revenue for small businesses across Michigan while also allowing anglers and families to make memories that last a lifetime,” said Rep. Huizenga. “Establishing a Great Lakes Mass Marking Program will improve the effectiveness of our fisheries while enhancing the environmental, scientific, and recreational benefits that healthy fish populations provide. This bipartisan initiative is a win for both the economy and the ecology of the Great Lakes.”

"From Lake Michigan to Lake Erie, our fisheries are a cornerstone of our way of life," said Rep. Walberg. "As an avid fisherman myself, I understand how robust and healthy fisheries are a lifeline for Michiganders, fueling local economies, offering world-class opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts, and upholding traditions for many families. I am pleased to see the House pass this vital legislation to ensure we have the tools and data necessary to preserve the fisheries of the Great Lakes for generations to come." 

The Great Lakes Mass Marking Act would establish a program within the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) for the mass marking of hatchery-produced fish in the Great Lakes basin. The FWS initiated the program in 2010 on a limited scale. Under the existing program, the FWS tags hatchery-produced fish stocked in the Great Lakes, and produces data used by state and tribal fish management agencies to make management decisions regarding Great Lakes fisheries.

This bill would authorize $5,000,000 annually from FY26 to FY30 for FWS to carry out tagging and tag recovery operations on a greater scale and 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.

View the bill text here.