Anyone who catches a round goby or a ruffe should not throw it back alive. More than 280,000 cards were produced jointly with 16 state and federal agencies around the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain. Customized versions were printed for Michigan, Ohio, New York, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Vermont and Ontario. Because regulations vary, each contains a slightly different message regarding possession or transport of these exotic fish. Cards will be distributed through bait shops, marinas, associations, environmental education organizations, natural resource management offices and at public events.
Single cards are free.
Michigan Sea Grant, a cooperative program of the U-M and Michigan State University, is one of 30 Sea Grant programs nationwide that conduct research, education and outreach to promote greater knowledge and stewardship of the Great Lakes and ocean resources. Michigan Sea Grant is funded by the National Sea Grant College Program, a part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.