Great Lakes Fishery Commission

Established by treaty to protect our fishery

Canada and the United States share the Great Lakes fishery, a binational treasure worth more than $7 billion annually to the people of the two nations. The fishery attracts millions of anglers, supports valuable commercial and charter fishing, is a mainstay for native peoples, and is the very fabric of a healthy environment.

The Great Lakes Fishery Commission, operating through the 1954 Convention on Great Lakes Fisheries, today facilitates successful cross-border cooperation that ensures the two nations work together to improve and perpetuate this fishery.

While the lakes fall under the jurisdictions of two nations, eight states, one province, and several tribes, the fishery resources do not observe political boundaries. Canada and the United States recognized decades ago that the best way to manage and sustain the fishery is through continuous, binational cooperation.

Remarkably, a mechanism to collaborate across borders was not always present. Efforts to establish an international fishery commission for the Great Lakes failed repeatedly from the late 1800s to 1954 because of a poor understanding about how to work together and because the states and the province were unwilling to cede fishery management authority to a binational agency.

Sea lampreys necessitate cooperation

The destructive power of sea lampreys compelled Canada and the United States to develop a successful collaborative relationship. Sea lampreys, which invaded the upper Great Lakes in the early 1920s had, by the 1950s, severely destroyed valuable stocks of Great Lakes fish, particularly whitefish and lake trout. Other factors, such as habitat destruction, poor water quality, and overfishing, also contributed to the decimation of the fishery by mid-century. Something needed to be done at the highest level if the Great Lakes fishery was to be saved from complete devastation.

About the commission

The 1954 Convention on Great Lakes Fisheries, which created the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, was born from a strong need to work together across borders not only to combat sea lampreys but also to promote science and establish working relationships among the players. The commission consists of four Canadian commissioners appointed by the Privy Council and four U.S. commissioners (plus one alternate) appointed by the President. The commissioners are supported by a secretariat, located in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

The convention charges the commission with five major duties:

to develop a binational research program aimed at sustaining Great Lakes fish stocks (see fact sheets 2 and 3);
to coordinate or conduct research consistent with that program;
to recommend measures to governments that protect and improve the fishery;
to formulate and implement a comprehensive sea lamprey control program; and
to publish or authorize publication of scientific and other information critical to sustaining the fishery.

The convention also includes a clause mandating the commission to establish "working arrangements" among governments to ensure multi-jurisdictional fishery management. The commission, thus, became a focal point for cooperative Great Lakes fishery management, though was designed specifically to not supersede existing state or provincial management authority.

The commission formulates its program based on advice from several research and management committees, comprising scientists, fishery managers, and academic experts. In addition, the commission receives advice from the Committee of Advisors, made up of citizens from Canada and the United States. Sea lamprey control is implemented in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Research is conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Geological Survey; state, provincial, and tribal authorities; and universities.

Since 1954, the Great Lakes Fishery Commission has ensured an on-going, robust working relationship between Canada and the United States for the benefit of the fishery and the millions of citizens who depend on the resource for food, subsistence, recreation, and income. Today, the management regime on the Great Lakes is viewed as a model for successful, cross-border cooperation.

Commissioners (2015) left to right: Tracey Mill, Doug Stang, Tom Melius, James McKane, William Taylor, Don Pereira, Robert Hecky, David Ullrich, Trevor Swerdfager

Commissioners | Secretariat | Contact Us U.S. Advisors | Canadian Advisors | Former members

Commissioners

The Great Lakes Fishery Commission is made up of eight Commissioners (four appointed from each the United States and Canada) and one U.S. Alternate Commissioner. Commissioners of the United States are appointed by the President for six-year terms. Commissioners of Canada are appointed by the Privy Council and serve at the Council's pleasure.

Canada	United States
Robert Hecky	Tom Melius
James McKane	Don Pereira
Tracey Mill	Doug Stang
Trevor Swerdfager	William Taylor
	David Ullrich, Chair

Secretariat

The Commission executes its management responsibilities with a Secretariat staff located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The Secretariat serves as the primary interface between the Commission and those with whom the Commission interacts, directs program and business management efforts, and provides decision support on a wide range of issues.

The following is a list of secretariat staff:

Zac Blevins	Sea Lamprey Research Program Associate
Dale Burkett	Sea Lamprey Program Director
Dr. John Dettmers	Director of Fisheries Management
Steve Domeracki	Director of Corporate Services
Nick Ebinger	Office Manager
Randy Eshenroder	Science Advisor
Chris Freiburger	Sea Lamprey Program Information Systems Manager
Dr. Marc Gaden	Communications Director & Legislative Liaison
Leah Gerweck	Program Assistant
Julie Hinderer	Senior Science Program Associate
Gary Isbell	Senior Fisheries Manager
Jessica Ives	Fishery Research Program Associate
Roger Knight	Fishery Management Specialist
Robert (Bob) Lambe	Executive Secretary
Dr. Ted Lawrence	Communications & Policy Associate
Sean Martineau	Financial Accounting Manager
Jeff McAulay	Knowledge Management Program Manager
Dr. Andrew Muir	Science Director
Heather Porter	Accounts Payable Clerk
Kevin Ramsey	Law Enforcement Specialist
Dr. Michael Siefkes	Sea Lamprey Control Program Manager
Haley Tober	Program Assistant
Jeff Tyson	Fishery Management Program Manager
Lisa Walter	Strategic Aquatic Habitat Connectivity Coordinator
Jill Wingfield	Communications Program Manager

U.S. Advisors

The Great Lakes Fisheries Act of 1956 authorized the appointment of advisors to the U.S. Section of the Commission "to examine and be heard on all proposed recommendations, programs, and activities relating to [the lake they represent]." The U.S. Section appoints advisors from each lake from a list provided by the Great Lakes state governors. Due consideration is given to interests of state agencies, the commercial fish industry, sport fishermen, and the public-at-large.

Canadian Advisors

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans has authorized the appointment of advisors to the Canadian Section of the Commission to examine and be heard on all proposed recommendations, programs, and activities relating to the fishery.

List of Advisors
Terms of Reference
News Release, Feb. 5, 1999: "Great Lakes Fishery Commission Expands Canadian Committee of Advisors"

Advisor News

Advisor Resolutions

2016
2015
- Resolution Urging the Continued Funding of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and Complementary Action in Canada
- Resolution Calling For Multi-Jurisdictional Consideration and Regulation of Net Pen Aquaculture in the Great Lakes
2014
- Resolution Urging the Replacement of the Straits of Mackinac Pipeline
- Resolution to Ban Personal Care Products Containing Microbeads
2013
2011
2010
- Protect Fish Habitat and Guide Wind Turbine Siting in the Great Lakes
- Ecological Separation of the Mississippi and Great Lakes basins
2009 (No advisor resolutions were submitted)
2008
2007
2006 (No advisor resolutions were submitted)
2005
2004
2003 (No advisor resolutions were submitted)
2002
2001
2000
1999 (No advisor resolutions were submitted)
1998 (No advisor resolutions were submitted)
1997

Former Member of the Commission


CANADA

Commissioner	Years	Affiliation
W. J. K. Harkness	1956-1960	Ontario Department of Lands and Forests
A. O. Blackhurst	1956-1969	Ontario Council of Commercial Fisheries
L.A. Pritchard	1956-1971	Conservation and Development Service, Dept. of Fisheries
J.R. Dymond	1960-1965	University of Toronto
C.H.D. Clarke	1966-1972	Province of Ontario
E.W. Burridge	1967-1977	Department of Fisheries and the Environment, Canada
F. E. J. Fry	1969-1980	University of Toronto
C. J. Kerswill	1971-1978	Department of Environment, Canada
Kenneth Loftus	1972-1984	Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources
Murray G. Johnson	1978-1982	Department of Fisheries and Environment, Canada
H. Douglas Johnston	1979-1982	Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Henry A. Regier	1980-1989	University of Toronto
Gary C. Vernon	1982-1984	Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Patrick Chamut	1982-1986	Department of Fisheries and Oceans
Ward Faulkner	1986	Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Aimee Lefebvre-Anglin	1986-1987	Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Arthur Holder	1986-1989	Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources
Pierre Asselin	1987-1990	Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Paul Sutherland	1987-1995	Fisheries and Oceans Canada
George Whitney	1988-1991	Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources
David Good	1990-1991	Fisheries and Oceans Canada
F. W. H Beamish	1990-2004	University of Guelph
Gail L. Beggs	1991-1996	Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources
Cheryl A. Fraser	1993-1997	Fisheries and Oceans Canada
G. Burton Ayles	1995-2000	Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Marie Tobin	1997-1998	Fisheries and Oceans Canada
David Balsillie	1997-2000	Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources
Ray T. Pierce	1998-2005	Fisheries and Oceans Canada
John C. Davis	2000-2005	Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Peter Wallace	2001-2010	Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources
Robert Hecky	2004-	University of Waterloo
Wendy Watson Wright	2005-2010	Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Robert G. Lambe	2005-2013	Canada - Ontario Invasive Species Centre
Siddika Mithani	2010-2012	Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Virginia West	2010	Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources
David O'Toole	2012-2014	Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources
Kevin Stringer	2013-2015	Fisheries and Oceans Canada
James McKane	2013-	Retired
Tracey Mill	2014-	Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources
Trevor Swerdfager	2015-	Fisheries and Oceans Canada
UNITED STATES

Commissioner	Years	Affiliation
John L. Farley	1956-1956	U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Lester P. Voigt	1956-1978	Wisconsin Conservation Department
Claude VerDuin	1956-1988	Midwest Federation, Fisheries Council ( Michigan)
D. L. McKernan	1957-1967	Bureau of Commercial Fisheries, USFWS
Clarence F. Pautzke	1967-1969	Department of the Interior
W. Mason Lawrence	1968-1988	New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
C.H. Meacham	1969-1970	U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Nathaniel P. Reed	1971-1977	Department of the Interior
Frank R. Lockard	1978-1981	Indiana Dept. of Natural Resources
Robert Herbst	1978-1981	Department of the Interior
G. R. Arnett	1981-1982	Department of the Interior
William P. Horn	1982-1989	Department of the Interior
James Ridenour	1983-1989	Indiana DNR
Becky Norton Dunlop	1988-1989	U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
James M. Cady	1988-1994	Minnesota
Charles C. Krueger	1988-1998	Cornell University
Charles K. Dutcher*	1989-1990	Office of Presidential Personnel for HR and Congressional/Political Affairs
Constance Harriman	1989-1991	U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Robert L. Athey *	1990-1992	Jack C. Nicklaus Devlmpt . Corp.( Illinois)
Carroll D. Besadny	1990-1996	Wisconsin DNR
John Michael Hayden	1991-1993	U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Harry L. Whiteley *	1992-1994	Harry H. Whiteley Associates
Bob Davison	1994-1996	Department of the Interior
David Dempsey *	1994-2001	Michigan Environmental Council
Bernard J. Hansen	1994-2006	Alderman, City of Chicago
Don Barry	1997-1998	Department of the Interior
Joseph Day	1997-2001	Minnesota Indian Affairs Council
Jamie Rappaport Clark	1998-2001	U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Roy A. Stein	1999-2004	Ohio State University
Gerry A. Barnhart	2002-2009	New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
William W. Taylor *	2002-	Michigan State University
H. Craig Manson	2002-2005	Department of the Interior
Mike Hansen	2004-2014	University of Wisconsin
David A. Ullrich	2006-	Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative
Lyle Laverty	2008-2009	Department of the Interior
William James	2008-2014	Indiana DNR
Tom Strickland	2009-2010	Department of the Interior
Don Pereira	2014-	Minnesota DNR
Doug Stang	2014-	New York DEC
Tom Melius	2015-	Department of the Interior
*=alternate commissioner

Contact Us

Great Lakes Fishery Commission
2100 Commonwealth Blvd, Suite 100
Ann Arbor, MI 48105
Tel: 734-662-3209
Fax: 734-741-2010
Email: info@glfc.org (For general information)
Email: webmaster@glfc.org (For web related issues)