Here in the Great Lakes, probably due to interactions with the ballast invader zebra mussel, we are currently witnessing the loss of major prey items such as the amphipod Diporiea and endangered species such as the northern riffleshell clam. The Advisors to the Great Lakes Fishery Commission have weighed-in on this issue. Over the years, they have voiced concern about the influx of exotic species. Most recently, during last month s Lake Committee meetings held in Ann Arbor, advisors from all states bordering Lake Michigan passed a resolution that commended Senator Sikkema for introducing Senate Bill 955 and urged other Great Lakes states to follow Michigan s lead. I have attached a copy of their resolution to this statement, for your consideration.
Exotic species is a problem that also concerns management agencies basinwide.
During the recent Lake Committee meetings, fishery managers from state, intertribal, and provincial agencies discussed the issue and supported efforts to control completely all the biological components of ballast within the Great Lakes basin. The lake committee members noted that non-native organisms have profoundly influenced native species and food webs. The next introduction could add to the devastation. So, state, tribal and provincial fishery managers agree that more needs to be done to address this priority problem. Senator, the Great Lakes Fishery Commission is encouraged by your efforts to eliminate future introduction of exotic species into the Great Lakes through ballast water discharge.