February 2017
IN THE STREAM
A monthly newsletter to keep you informed.

Congressman Kildee Introduces Legislation Supporting Sport Fishing
 
 
Bryan Burroughs and Taylor Ridderbusch from Trout Unlimited pose with Congressman Kildee and other conservation organization leaders at the release of bills to protect Michigan's fisheries from certain kinds of commercial fish farming. Also pictured, Amy Trotter, Michigan United Conservation Clubs, Dennis Eade, Michigan Steelhead and Salmon Fishermen's Association, Marc Smith, National Wildlife Federation and Tom Baird, Anglers of the Au Sable.
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Today, in Fenton, MI, at Red Fox Outfitters, TU staff and conservation partners joined Congressman Dan Kildee as he introduced two federal bills aimed at protecting our fisheries and water quality from commercial fish farming expansion.  HR 961 would prohibit net pen fish farming in the waters of the Great Lakes.  HR 962 would prevent commercial fish farming on federal Wild & Scenic River watersheds unless an operator can demonstrate they will not discharge pollutants.

Both bills address serious and significant threats to Michigan's waters and valuable fisheries.  In Michigan, last year, legislation was introduced to allow Great Lakes fish farming.  On the Au Sable River, a commercial fish farm is currently expanding under a state issued permit, which is being challenged legally.  The permit and its challenge is, unfortunately, about how much pollutant discharge should be allowed - not about preventing it.  Both of these bills will help to ensure Michigan's waters and fisheries receive the protection they deserve.

TU will be working to support these bills, and will be communicating with you, our members, more about this topic in the coming days and months.

To read more about this topic, to review the bills, or Congressman Kildee's press release on it, please visit our webpage or our Aquaculture page @ michigantu.org/aquaculture.
 
Tight Lines,
 
Michigan Trout Unlimited Executive Committee Team
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