H.R.1917 - Great Lakes Mass Marking Program Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R. 1917, 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. The goal is to improve fisheries management and support the Great Lakes ecosystem. The bill authorizes appropriations of $5,000,000 annually from 2026 through 2030 to carry out the program.
Expected Effects
The Act will lead to a more comprehensive understanding of fish populations in the Great Lakes. This understanding will inform better management decisions regarding fish stocking, habitat restoration, and the balance between hatchery and wild fish. The program will also provide data to support recreational and commercial fisheries, as well as the recovery of native species.
Potential Benefits
- Improved fisheries management through better data on fish populations.
- Support for native species recovery and ecosystem restoration in the Great Lakes.
- Enhanced recreational and commercial fishing opportunities.
- Collaboration among federal, state, and tribal agencies in managing Great Lakes fisheries.
- Data-driven decision-making for balancing predator and prey species.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for unintended consequences from mass marking, although the bill aims to minimize these through collaboration and data analysis.
- The cost of the program, although the bill authorizes specific appropriations.
- Possible disruption to existing fishing practices during the implementation of the program.
- Dependence on the effectiveness of the chosen marking technology and its impact on fish survival.
- Potential for data collection and dissemination to be slower than anticipated.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the General Welfare Clause of the Constitution, as it aims to support a valuable resource that contributes significantly to the regional and national economy. 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 affect interstate trade. The bill does not appear to infringe upon 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).