TOPIC:

Great Lakes Salmon Initiative
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The GLSI met with the Sault Tribe last week at the Kewadin Casino. We were very well received and had an incredible discussion lasting 4.5hrs. Discussions included Chinook, LT, tribal wants in the upcoming Consent Decree (limited because some issues are under a gag order), differing opinions or interests among the different tribes, Great Lakes mgmt., MDNR, trust issues with Fed agencies, MDNR, anglers, netting, commercial fishing, allocation/harvest numbers for both tribal and sport anglers, science and timely reaction to changing environments, mgmt. of Bays DeNoc and the social and economic interests of the tribes and St of Mi.

Differences among the tribes and desires for the decree are being hashed out right now and negotiations should begin later this summer. The Sault and Bay Mills tribes have the largest commercial effort and their interests is a real eye opener!! Whether all the tribes, US Govt, St of MI will/can agree is to be seen.

I think my jaw crashed to the floor with one of the first opening comments. Why doesn't the GLSI ask the MDNR to increase Chinook plants and reduce LT numbers? Admittedly they felt different 10yrs ago but much has changed with LT. Dramatic changes in Lamprey numbers, ave age increase in LT-more spawning age trout, natal production especially in northern Huron waters. Rehabilitation of LT is nearly impossible with commercial and recreational efforts. The GLSI has posted this many times that as the age and size increase of LT both tribal and state harvest is actually reduced because harvest is based on pounds, as we have seen creel limits reduced in mgmt. units MH-1 and MM-4. Creating a look don't touch fishery!! Also issues with LT pushing whitefish off traditional habitat, predation on whitefish the bread and butter fish of the tribal and state commercial fishing industry. Whitefish numbers historically have done better with heavy Chinook numbers vs heavy LT numbers. Chinook don't compete with whitefish for resources or inhabit the same waters.

This is an interest with the Tribal fishing efforts going into decree negotiations. As you read this bear in mind that any financial interest in this following topic would create a better working relationship and cooperative managing partner with the St of Michigan. Tribal interest and access to more species like Steelhead or Coho for commercial harvest and sustenance. Currently 250K Chinook are planted at Nunns Creek for tribal harvest during the fall spawn return. If granted access to other species, this doesn't mean that they can just go throw gill nets wherever/whenever they want to. This would allow more of the desired sport species in the lakes and access to sport anglers in the open waters. These things would have to be settled in negotiations and this is an issue to think through before emotionally reacting.

Pictured is an example of what our sport fishery is about, participation, Chinook the economic driver and thrill of screaming drags. The GLSI has worked to maintain the economic impact of our SILVER fishery but also strives to maintain a balanced fishery and population. Lake Trout are native and belong but they are not meant to be the Federal agenda, Federal financial horse or the fish that the USFWS and Great Lakes Fishery Commission uses to control states mgmt. of our resources!!