Fishery Biologist Aaron Woldt of the Alpena FRO along with John Netto of the Green Bay FRO co-chaired the March 13-15 meeting of the Modeling Subcommittee (MSC) of the Technical Fisheries Committee (TFC).

The primary focus of this meeting was to generate preliminary 2007 harvest limits for lake trout in 1836 Treaty waters of lakes Huron, Superior, and Michigan, although other technical matters were discussed.  

As stipulated in the 2000 Consent Decree, preliminary lake trout harvest numbers must be calculated by the MSC, reviewed by the TFC, and presented to the parties to the decree by March 31 each year.  The MSC will complete final lake trout harvest numbers and present them to the TFC for review at the May 4 TFC meeting.

Biologist Woldt and Ji He of the Michigan DNR presented an update of the status of northern Lake Huron (MH-1 and MH-2) lake trout stock assessment models, model diagnostic output, and preliminary 2007 lake trout harvest limits.  

In MH-1 and MH-2, the 2007 preliminary lake trout harvest limits decreased from 2006 levels due to changes in the lake trout population structure and survival of young fish.  The MSC will continue to evaluate and monitor these changes.  Preliminary limits were presented to the TFC for review on March 30.

In addition to performing model analyses, biologist Woldt helped run the MSC meeting ensuring all agenda items were discussed and kept meeting minutes.  A preliminary draft of the March 13-15 MSC meeting minutes was emailed to MSC members for review.