Senate Passes Peters’ Bipartisan Legislation to Bolster Great Lakes Fishery Research and Management

WASHINGTON, DC – The Senate unanimously passed bipartisan legislation introduced by U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) to bolster Great Lakes fishery research and management efforts. The Great Lakes Fisheries Research Reauthorization Act would reauthorize funding for the U.S. Geological Survey’s (USGS) Great Lakes Science Center for another five years, helping to ensure that they are able to continue conducting critical research that supports Great Lakes fisheries. This bipartisan bill, which now moves to the House of Representatives, comes amid the Trump Administration’s efforts to drastically reduce staffing at the Great Lakes Science Center headquartered in Ann Arbor.

“The Great Lakes Science Center helps protect the freshwater fisheries and habitats that are invaluable economic and ecological assets for Michigan and the entire Great Lakes Region,” said Senator Peters, Co-Chair of the Senate Great Lakes Task Force. “The Trump Administration’s attempt to slash staffing at the Center is outrageous and recklessly endangers the health of our Great Lakes. I’ll keep fighting to support the Center and see this bill become law.”

Peters introduced the legislation with U.S. Senator Jon Husted (R-OH). Activities carried out by the Great Lakes Science Center include:

• Conducting surveys of both native and invasive fish populations in the Great Lakes. This data helps USGS, along with tribal, state, and local partners, to develop effective strategies for protecting and managing fisheries.

• Development of reintroduction plans for culturally and ecologically significant fish populations, which are essential for the long-term health of the Great Lakes.

• Testing and development of technologies that assist in research.

Peters has been a steadfast supporter of the Great Lakes, advocating for policies that safeguard Michigan waters, support local economies, and enhance environmental protections. In 2019, Peters led the effort to secure the authorization for the Great Lakes Science Center that Peters’ Great Lakes Fisheries Research Reauthorization Act would extend. Earlier this year, Peters introduced the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) Act of 2025 to reauthorize and expand resources for the GLRI program, which has carried out the most significant investment ever made to restore our Great Lakes.

As Co-Chair of the Senate Great Lakes Task Force, Peters plays a key role in uniting Great Lakes Basin states to coordinate legislative initiatives, funding priorities, and oversight efforts to address the most important issues facing the Great Lakes, such as invasive species, environmental contamination, shoreline erosion, water quality, infrastructure needs, and more.

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