Number: 1989-27
WHEREAS, the Great Lakes Fishery Commission maintains chemical control of sea lamprey populations in the Great Lakes and supports research into alternate control methods, but static appropriation of Commission funds and escalating operational costs have resulted in a critical funding shortfall; and
WHEREAS, according to the Commission, the result of this funding problem will mean a reduction in research into alternate methods of sea lamprey control and that the sea lamprey control effort will be reduced effective fiscal year 1990, resulting in elimination of all control for Lake Erie and a forty percent reduction in control efforts in Lake Michigan, Lake Huron and Lake Ontario; and
WHEREAS, according to the Commission, by the year 2000 this reduction in control effort will result in a doubling of the population of sea lamprey, in a 50% decline in trout and salmon abundance, and in a substantial reduction in other fish stocks; and
WHEREAS, according to the Commission, this would result in a reduction in sport fishing expenditures of approximately $525 million and a loss to the commercial fishery of approximately $135 million, resulting in economic dislocation in communities dependent on these fisheries; and
WHEREAS, the Commission has estimated the total funding needs for the United States and Canada to maintain existing lamprey control and research activities to be approximately $15.5 million for fiscal year 1990;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation in annual meeting assembled March 16-19, 1989, in Arlington, Virginia, urges the U.S. Congress and the Canadian Parliament to appropriate full funding of Great Lakes sea lamprey control and research programs as specified within the terms and authority of the Great Lakes Fishery Commission.