State Reps. Dave Prestin and Jason Morgan this week announced a bipartisan plan to create a more positive business environment for licensed commercial fishermen, provide better access to more diverse fish from the Great Lakes, and support Michigan’s economy. The lawmakers were able to secure support from more than 60 state representatives from both parties – the majority of membership within the state House.

“Michigan’s commercial fishing is a founding industry of our state,” said Prestin, R-Cedar River.
“Over the years, Michigan has become less reliant on our own commercial fishermen as people from other states and Canada continue to harvest lake trout, walleye, and yellow perch on the Great Lakes, while fishermen in Michigan are prohibited. We must address statewide overregulation before there are no commercial fishermen left.”

The commercial fishing industry in Michigan is in serious trouble. Currently, there are only 3 Michigan full-time state-licensed commercial fishermen, with only 10 others working part-time.  The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) still regulates the industry under emergency rules established in the 1960s that were designed to address the sea lamprey disaster.

The overregulation by the DNR has led to dangerous fluctuations in Great Lake fish populations. In Saginaw Bay and the larger Lake Huron. DNR decision-making has led to massive overpopulation of walleye and a near desolation of the yellow perch and white fish populations. If commercial fishing was more accessible and state oversight more reasonable, these professionals could help regulate fish populations and return them to more reasonable levels.

“Growing up on my family’s commercial fishery in northern Michigan, I saw firsthand that fishing isn’t just a business, it’s a way of life,” said Morgan, D-Ann Arbor. “Right now, outdated rules are holding that way of life back and forcing our state to import fish from elsewhere while our own small businesses struggle to survive. That doesn’t make sense. Our plan is simple: we’re modernizing the rules so Michigan families can find fresh, local fish at their neighborhood store, all while making sure our sport fishing tradition stays strong.”

Under the bipartisan bills, Michigan sport fishing would continue to be a priority, but the overly restrictive DNR rules would be scaled back, clearing the way for Michigan fishermen to responsibly continue providing fish for Michigan residents.

This legislation meets three objectives:

• Ensure sport fishing remains a top priority of this state while responsibly boosting commercial fishing.
• Outline how the DNR can manage natural resources at the highest level possible while preventing over-fishing.
• Allow state-licensed commercial fishing businesses to offer greater variety and more opportunities for citizens to access fresh Michigan-caught Great Lakes fish.

The plan requires the DNR to:

• Manage fish populations using sound scientific data collection and analysis.
• Receive input from licensed commercial fishers in establishing yearly quotas and notification of those quotas to the Legislature and the governor.
• Establish the number of fish, species, and kinds taken by state-licensed commercial fishers.
• Specify the areas, fishing gear, and depth – not to exceed 150 ft.
• Establish an annual Total Allowable Catch (TAC) for Lake Trout, Walleye, and Perch, and allocate a certain portion of the TAC to commercial fishermen based on market demands and the opportunity to commercially fish in a profitable manner.
• Allow the department to make rules, address commercial fishing license fee levels, issue emergency orders, act and levy fines for nets that have not been attended for 30 or more days, inspect commercial fishing operations – on board or ashore – and to take fish for the purpose of scientific investigation, assessments, management, or culture.

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