Great Lakes Mass Marking Program Act of 2025
Summary
The Great Lakes Mass Marking Program Act of 2025 aims to establish a program within the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for mass marking hatchery-produced fish in the Great Lakes basin. This program intends to improve fisheries management and support the Great Lakes ecosystem. The Act authorizes appropriations of $5,000,000 annually from 2026 through 2030 to carry out the program.
Expected Effects
The Act will likely lead to better data collection and analysis regarding fish populations in the Great Lakes. This data will inform management decisions related to fish stocking, habitat restoration, and the balance between hatchery-produced and wild fish. Ultimately, this should improve the health and sustainability of the Great Lakes fisheries.
Potential Benefits
- Improved understanding of fish populations and hatchery effectiveness.
- Better management decisions for fish stocking and habitat restoration.
- Support for native species recovery and recreational/commercial fishing.
- Enhanced collaboration among federal, state, and tribal agencies.
- Potential economic benefits from a healthier Great Lakes ecosystem.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for increased government spending.
- Possible disruption to existing fishing practices during program implementation.
- Risk of unforeseen ecological consequences from mass marking.
- Dependence on continued funding for long-term success.
- Potential for data collection biases or inaccuracies.
Constitutional Alignment
The Act appears to align with the General Welfare Clause (Preamble) by promoting the health and sustainability of the Great Lakes, a valuable natural resource. Congress's power to regulate interstate commerce (Article I, Section 8) could also be invoked to justify federal involvement in managing the Great Lakes, which span multiple states and impact interstate commerce through fishing and tourism. The Act does not appear to infringe on any specific constitutional rights or limitations.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).