Great Lakes Mass Marking Program Act of 2025

Bill: 119-hr-1917
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6]
Introduced: 2025-03-06
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Aquatic ecology

Fishes

Government information and archives

Great Lakes

Marine and coastal resources, fisheries

Wildlife conservation and habitat protection
Latest action: action_date: 2025-07-23
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

Summaries:
action_date: 2025-03-06
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><strong>Great Lakes Mass Marking Program Act of 2025</strong></p><p>This bill provides statutory authority for a program of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) for the mass marking of hatchery-produced fish in the Great Lakes basin. Mass marking is the practice of tagging large numbers of hatchery-produced fish in order to distinguish them from the wild fish population. The FWS initiated the program in 2010 on a limited scale. Under the existing program, the FWS (1) tags hatchery-produced fish stocked in the Great Lakes, and (2) produces data used by state and tribal fish management agencies to make management decisions regarding Great Lakes fisheries.</p><p>This bill allows the FWS, in carrying out the program, to (1) purchase items to support and carry out tagging and tag recovery operations on a greater scale, and (2) hire additional personnel.</p><p>The FWS must make the data collected under the program available to applicable federal, state, and tribal fish management agencies to</p><ul><li>increase the understanding of the outcomes of management action;</li><li>assist in meeting the restoration objectives of the Great Lakes;</li><li>assist in balancing predators and prey;</li><li>support and improve the economic status of tribal, recreational, and commercial fisheries; and</li><li>assist in evaluating the effectiveness of habitat restoration efforts in the Great Lakes.</li></ul>

tv_txt: IIB 119th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 1917 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES July 23, 2025 Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works AN ACT To establish the Great Lakes Mass Marking Program, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Great Lakes Mass Marking Program Act of 2025 . 2. Findings Congress finds that— (1) the Great Lakes have experienced rapid changes in recent years due to— (A) the introduction of multiple aquatic invasive species; (B) alterations in the food web; and (C) decreases in the abundance of prey species; (2) due to rapid biological change in the Great Lakes, the Great Lakes need a collaborative, science-based program to assist in making management actions regarding fish stocking rates, the rehabilitation of important fish species, and habitat restoration; (3) the States of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, and Wisconsin and Indian Tribes in those States, working through the Council of Lake Committees of the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, have identified that mass marking is— (A) a precise tool to keep hatchery-produced fish in balance with wild fish; and (B) essential to achieving fishery management and research objectives through producing a better understanding of— (i) the quantity of hatchery produced fish compared to wild fish in the Great Lakes; (ii) the effectiveness of hatchery operations; and (iii) the effectiveness of fishery management actions; (4) the mass marking program of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service in the Great Lakes— (A) was initiated in 2010 on a limited scale; (B) annually tags approximately 9,000,000 to 11,000,000 of the hatchery-produced fish stocked in the Great Lakes; (C) is a basinwide cooperative effort among the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Indian Tribes, and State management agencies; and (D) produces data used by State and Tribal fish management agencies to make management decisions regarding Great Lakes fisheries; (5) annually, Federal, State, and Tribal agencies stock approximately 21,000,000 hatchery-produced fish in the Great Lakes to support— (A) native species recovery; and (B) recreational and commercial fishing; (6) mass marking of hatchery-produced fish, using automated technology, is an efficient method of implementing a collaborative, science-based fishery program; and (7) the Great Lakes are an important and valued resource that— (A) supports a robust regional economy valued at more than $7,000,000,000; and (B) provides stability to the economy of the United States. 3. Definitions In this Act: (1) Director The term Director means the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. (2) Program The term Program means the Great Lakes Mass Marking Program established by section 4(a). 4. Great Lakes mass marking program (a) In general To assist in determining the effectiveness of hatchery operations and fisheries management actions and to support Great Lakes fisheries, there is established within the United States Fish and Wildlife Service a program for the mass marking of hatchery-produced fish in the Great Lakes basin, to be known as the Great Lakes Mass Marking Program . (b) Authorized actions In carrying out the Program, the Director may— (1) purchase capital and expendable equipment, fish tags, and other items necessary to support and carry out tagging and tag recovery operations, including data processing and data dissemination relating to those operations; and (2) hire additional personnel, as necessary. (c) Required collaboration In carrying out the Program, the Director shall collaborate with applicable Federal, State, and Tribal fish management agencies, the Council of Lake Committees of the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, and signatories to the Joint Strategic Plan for Management of Great Lakes Fisheries. (d) Availability of data The Director shall make the data collected under the Program available to applicable Federal, State, and Tribal fish management agencies— (1) to increase the understanding of the outcomes of management action; (2) to assist in meeting the restoration objectives of the Great Lakes, including the fish community objectives and fish management plans described in the Joint Strategic Plan for Management of Great Lakes Fisheries; (3) to assist in balancing predators and prey; (4) to support and improve the economic status of Tribal, recreational, and commercial fisheries; and (5) to assist in evaluating the effectiveness of habitat restoration efforts in the Great Lakes. 5. Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out the Program $2,700,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030.

Passed the House of Representatives July 22, 2025. Kevin F. McCumber, Clerk.

tv_txt: IB 119th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 1917 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AN ACT To establish the Great Lakes Mass Marking Program, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Great Lakes Mass Marking Program Act of 2025 . 2. Findings Congress finds that— (1) the Great Lakes have experienced rapid changes in recent years due to— (A) the introduction of multiple aquatic invasive species; (B) alterations in the food web; and (C) decreases in the abundance of prey species; (2) due to rapid biological change in the Great Lakes, the Great Lakes need a collaborative, science-based program to assist in making management actions regarding fish stocking rates, the rehabilitation of important fish species, and habitat restoration; (3) the States of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, and Wisconsin and Indian Tribes in those States, working through the Council of Lake Committees of the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, have identified that mass marking is— (A) a precise tool to keep hatchery-produced fish in balance with wild fish; and (B) essential to achieving fishery management and research objectives through producing a better understanding of— (i) the quantity of hatchery produced fish compared to wild fish in the Great Lakes; (ii) the effectiveness of hatchery operations; and (iii) the effectiveness of fishery management actions; (4) the mass marking program of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service in the Great Lakes— (A) was initiated in 2010 on a limited scale; (B) annually tags approximately 9,000,000 to 11,000,000 of the hatchery-produced fish stocked in the Great Lakes; (C) is a basinwide cooperative effort among the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Indian Tribes, and State management agencies; and (D) produces data used by State and Tribal fish management agencies to make management decisions regarding Great Lakes fisheries; (5) annually, Federal, State, and Tribal agencies stock approximately 21,000,000 hatchery-produced fish in the Great Lakes to support— (A) native species recovery; and (B) recreational and commercial fishing; (6) mass marking of hatchery-produced fish, using automated technology, is an efficient method of implementing a collaborative, science-based fishery program; and (7) the Great Lakes are an important and valued resource that— (A) supports a robust regional economy valued at more than $7,000,000,000; and (B) provides stability to the economy of the United States. 3. Definitions In this Act: (1) Director The term Director means the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. (2) Program The term Program means the Great Lakes Mass Marking Program established by section 4(a). 4. Great Lakes mass marking program (a) In general To assist in determining the effectiveness of hatchery operations and fisheries management actions and to support Great Lakes fisheries, there is established within the United States Fish and Wildlife Service a program for the mass marking of hatchery-produced fish in the Great Lakes basin, to be known as the Great Lakes Mass Marking Program . (b) Authorized actions In carrying out the Program, the Director may— (1) purchase capital and expendable equipment, fish tags, and other items necessary to support and carry out tagging and tag recovery operations, including data processing and data dissemination relating to those operations; and (2) hire additional personnel, as necessary. (c) Required collaboration In carrying out the Program, the Director shall collaborate with applicable Federal, State, and Tribal fish management agencies, the Council of Lake Committees of the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, and signatories to the Joint Strategic Plan for Management of Great Lakes Fisheries. (d) Availability of data The Director shall make the data collected under the Program available to applicable Federal, State, and Tribal fish management agencies— (1) to increase the understanding of the outcomes of management action; (2) to assist in meeting the restoration objectives of the Great Lakes, including the fish community objectives and fish management plans described in the Joint Strategic Plan for Management of Great Lakes Fisheries; (3) to assist in balancing predators and prey; (4) to support and improve the economic status of Tribal, recreational, and commercial fisheries; and (5) to assist in evaluating the effectiveness of habitat restoration efforts in the Great Lakes. 5. Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out the Program $2,700,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030.

Passed the House of Representatives July 22, 2025. Kevin F. McCumber, Clerk.

tv_txt: IB Union Calendar No. 171 119th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 1917 [Report No. 119–210] IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES March 6, 2025 Mrs. Dingell (for herself, Mr. Huizenga , and Mr. Walberg ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources July 21, 2025 Additional sponsors: Mr. Fitzpatrick , Mr. Bergman , Ms. Kaptur , and Mr. Quigley July 21, 2025 Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic For text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on March 6, 2025 A BILL To establish the Great Lakes Mass Marking Program, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Great Lakes Mass Marking Program Act of 2025 . 2. Findings Congress finds that— (1) the Great Lakes have experienced rapid changes in recent years due to— (A) the introduction of multiple aquatic invasive species; (B) alterations in the food web; and (C) decreases in the abundance of prey species; (2) due to rapid biological change in the Great Lakes, the Great Lakes need a collaborative, science-based program to assist in making management actions regarding fish stocking rates, the rehabilitation of important fish species, and habitat restoration; (3) the States of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, and Wisconsin and Indian Tribes in those States, working through the Council of Lake Committees of the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, have identified that mass marking is— (A) a precise tool to keep hatchery-produced fish in balance with wild fish; and (B) essential to achieving fishery management and research objectives through producing a better understanding of— (i) the quantity of hatchery produced fish compared to wild fish in the Great Lakes; (ii) the effectiveness of hatchery operations; and (iii) the effectiveness of fishery management actions; (4) the mass marking program of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service in the Great Lakes— (A) was initiated in 2010 on a limited scale; (B) annually tags approximately 9,000,000 to 11,000,000 of the hatchery-produced fish stocked in the Great Lakes; (C) is a basinwide cooperative effort among the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Indian Tribes, and State management agencies; and (D) produces data used by State and Tribal fish management agencies to make management decisions regarding Great Lakes fisheries; (5) annually, Federal, State, and Tribal agencies stock approximately 21,000,000 hatchery-produced fish in the Great Lakes to support— (A) native species recovery; and (B) recreational and commercial fishing; (6) mass marking of hatchery-produced fish, using automated technology, is an efficient method of implementing a collaborative, science-based fishery program; and (7) the Great Lakes are an important and valued resource that— (A) supports a robust regional economy valued at more than $7,000,000,000; and (B) provides stability to the economy of the United States. 3. Definitions In this Act: (1) Director The term Director means the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. (2) Program The term Program means the Great Lakes Mass Marking Program established by section 4(a). 4. Great Lakes mass marking program (a) In general To assist in determining the effectiveness of hatchery operations and fisheries management actions and to support Great Lakes fisheries, there is established within the United States Fish and Wildlife Service a program for the mass marking of hatchery-produced fish in the Great Lakes basin, to be known as the Great Lakes Mass Marking Program . (b) Authorized actions In carrying out the Program, the Director may— (1) purchase capital and expendable equipment, fish tags, and other items necessary to support and carry out tagging and tag recovery operations, including data processing and data dissemination relating to those operations; and (2) hire additional personnel, as necessary. (c) Required collaboration In carrying out the Program, the Director shall collaborate with applicable Federal, State, and Tribal fish management agencies, the Council of Lake Committees of the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, and signatories to the Joint Strategic Plan for Management of Great Lakes Fisheries. (d) Availability of data The Director shall make the data collected under the Program available to applicable Federal, State, and Tribal fish management agencies— (1) to increase the understanding of the outcomes of management action; (2) to assist in meeting the restoration objectives of the Great Lakes, including the fish community objectives and fish management plans described in the Joint Strategic Plan for Management of Great Lakes Fisheries; (3) to assist in balancing predators and prey; (4) to support and improve the economic status of Tribal, recreational, and commercial fisheries; and (5) to assist in evaluating the effectiveness of habitat restoration efforts in the Great Lakes. 5. Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out the Program $2,700,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030.

July 21, 2025 Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed

tv_txt: I 119th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 1917 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES March 6, 2025 Mrs. Dingell (for herself, Mr. Huizenga , and Mr. Walberg ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources A BILL To establish the Great Lakes Mass Marking Program, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Great Lakes Mass Marking Program Act of 2025 . 2. Findings Congress finds that— (1) the Great Lakes have experienced rapid changes in recent years due to— (A) the introduction of multiple aquatic invasive species; (B) alterations in the food web; and (C) decreases in the abundance of prey species; (2) due to rapid biological change in the Great Lakes, the Great Lakes need a collaborative, science-based program to assist in making management actions regarding fish stocking rates, the rehabilitation of important fish species, and habitat restoration; (3) the States of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, and Wisconsin and Indian Tribes in those States, working through the Council of Lake Committees of the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, have identified that mass marking is— (A) a precise tool to keep hatchery-produced fish in balance with wild fish; and (B) essential to achieving fishery management and research objectives through producing a better understanding of— (i) the quantity of hatchery produced fish compared to wild fish in the Great Lakes; (ii) the effectiveness of hatchery operations; and (iii) the effectiveness of fishery management actions; (4) the mass marking program of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service in the Great Lakes— (A) was initiated in 2010 on a limited scale; (B) annually tags approximately 9,000,000 to 11,000,000 of the hatchery-produced fish stocked in the Great Lakes; (C) is a basinwide cooperative effort among the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Indian Tribes, and State management agencies; and (D) produces data used by State and Tribal fish management agencies to make management decisions regarding Great Lakes fisheries; (5) annually, Federal, State, and Tribal agencies stock approximately 21,000,000 hatchery-produced fish in the Great Lakes to support— (A) native species recovery; and (B) recreational and commercial fishing; (6) mass marking of hatchery-produced fish, using automated technology, is an efficient method of implementing a collaborative, science-based fishery program; and (7) the Great Lakes are an important and valued resource that— (A) supports a robust regional economy valued at more than $7,000,000,000; and (B) provides stability to the economy of the United States. 3. Definitions In this Act: (1) Director The term Director means the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. (2) Program The term Program means the Great Lakes Mass Marking Program established by section 4(a). 4. Great Lakes mass marking program (a) In general To assist in determining the effectiveness of hatchery operations and fisheries management actions and to support Great Lakes fisheries, there is established within the United States Fish and Wildlife Service a program for the mass marking of hatchery-produced fish in the Great Lakes basin, to be known as the Great Lakes Mass Marking Program . (b) Authorized actions In carrying out the Program, the Director may— (1) purchase capital and expendable equipment, fish tags, and other items necessary to support and carry out tagging and tag recovery operations, including data processing and data dissemination relating to those operations; and (2) hire additional personnel, as necessary. (c) Required collaboration In carrying out the Program, the Director shall collaborate with applicable Federal, State, and Tribal fish management agencies, the Council of Lake Committees of the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, and signatories to the Joint Strategic Plan for Management of Great Lakes Fisheries. (d) Availability of data The Director shall make the data collected under the Program available to applicable Federal, State, and Tribal fish management agencies— (1) to increase the understanding of the outcomes of management action; (2) to assist in meeting the restoration objectives of the Great Lakes, including the fish community objectives and fish management plans described in the Joint Strategic Plan for Management of Great Lakes Fisheries; (3) to assist in balancing predators and prey; (4) to support and improve the economic status of Tribal, recreational, and commercial fisheries; and (5) to assist in evaluating the effectiveness of habitat restoration efforts in the Great Lakes. 5. Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out the Program $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030.