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Phone: 989-356-5102
Fax: 989-356-4651
Address:
145 Water St, Room 204
Alpena, MI 49707
Treaty Fishery Assistance
Program Coordinator: Aaron Woldt ( Aaron_Woldt@fws.gov )
Federal-Tribal trust responsibilities and implementation of tribal self-governance have been identified as priorities for all Department of Interior (DOI) bureaus. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) provides technical assistance and support for federally recognized tribes in Michigan through the Alpena National Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office (NFWCO). Great Lakes fishery resources are important to the culture of native peoples for food and spiritual purposes. Because of the linkage, the Service views its trust responsibilities to the Great Lakes fishery resources and the tribal governments as one in the same.
Tribal fishing rights were retained in waters of eastern Lake Superior and northern Lakes Huron and Michigan ceded in the Treaty of 1836. Disputes over the allocation of the fisheries between tribal commercial and non-tribal sport anglers was temporarily resolved in 1985 through a Consent Decree agreed to by the U.S. Government, the plaintiff tribes, and the State of Michigan. This fifteen year agreement expired in 2000 and a new negotiated settlement was reached in August 2000. The Alpena FRO provided critical assistance in negotiating the 2000 Consent Decree which will dictate the allocation of the fisheries through 2020.
Lake trout rehabilitation was a critical central focus of the new agreement with all parties renewing their commitment to the effort in 1836 Treaty waters. In addition to expanded commercial fishing opportunities for the tribes, conversion of many gill net fishing operations to the use of trap nets should provide greater protection for lake trout and enhance the rehabilitation effort. Each of the five treaty tribes, the State of Michigan and the U.S. Department of Interior have committed to expanded participation in the implementation phase of the agreement. The implementation of the agreement and the management of the shared fisheries requires staff biologists to participate in an inter-agency Technical Fisheries Committee (TFC) which is currently chaired by the Service (Alpena NFWCO Project Leader). Determination of annual harvest limits for state and tribal lake trout and lake whitefish fisheries is conducted through a Modeling Subcommittee (MSC) which provides recommendations to the TFC and identifies critical data and assessment needs.
The Alpena NFWCO has added three full-time staff positions that comprise the Treaty Fishery Unit. The Treaty Fishery Unit participates in modeling efforts and conducts needed fishery assessment in Lake Huron. One of the new positions currently serves as co-chair of the MSC.
Treaty Fishery Assistance Poster Presentation (163 Kb, pdf)
Resources
Link to USFWS Midwest Region Tribal Grants Web Site
