After I emailed
the handouts provided at the October 19, 2011 Lake Huron
Citizens Fishery Advisory Committee I received a comment
from Scott R. Koproski, Project Leader, U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, Alpena Fish and Wildlife Conservation
Office indicating that the attached handout, “Update
on the Lake Huron Cisco”, did not completely reflect
the Service’s position on restoration of cisco in Lake Huron
and the other Great Lakes. I asked Scott if he would
provide a written statement of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service’s position on this issue and Scott kindly agreed.
Below is his response in an email and attached is the “U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service Proposal for the Restoration of
Whitefishes including Cisco (herring) in the Great
Lakes” which Scott provided. Frank
Cisco up date
Wildlife service Cisco proposal
Thank you and the Lake Huron Citizens Fishery Advisory
Committee (LHCFAC) for the opportunity to provide comments
related to the Service's view of Cisco restoration in the
Great Lakes. At the October LHCFAC meeting several items
were discussed, one of which was an update on the Lake Huron
Cisco pilot project. Within the minutes document, there is
the following statement; "USFWS not prepared or supportive
of moving forward with production level rearing of Cisco."
That statement does not accurately capture the Service's
commitment to cisco rehabilitation in the Great Lakes.
The Service is committed to all native species restoration
efforts. Native species restoration and management is on of
the primary missions of the Service. With the proper
resources and partner support, restoring native forage, such
a cisco, would align with our mission and is an area that
Region 3 has immense interest in exploring.
Presently, the Region 3 hatchery program does not have
enough space at existing production facilities to support a
production line for cisco. In 2008, the Service was asked by
Congressman Dingell to identify capital improvements,
equipment, and annual operational expenses needed to expand
our hatchery program to support cisco rehabilitation
efforts. A copy of this proposal is attached for your review
but be mindful that this document is dated and figures will
need to be adjusted to account for inflation.
Our Green Bay Fisheries Office has also assisted the New
York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the
Lake Ontario Committee with their reintroduction of
deepwater ciscos (bloater chubs). They collected and
fertilized bloater eggs from fish spawning in Lake Michigan
and shipped them to the New York DEC.
Service staff also participated in two International
Coregonid Symposiums in 2008 and 2011. Coregonid experts
from around the world meet every three years to discuss
biology, management, and restoration of these important
fishes. By participating in these international venues,
Service staff obtained a wealth of information related to
management, culture, and re-introductions of Coregonids
which will be valuable if any opportunity to expand our
propagation program presents itself.
The Service is very supportive of cisco rehabilitation
efforts throughout the Great Lakes and will do whatever we
can to assist. Unfortunately, at this time we do to have the
hatchery capacity to initiate a propagation program.
Again, I do appreciate the opportunity to share with the
LHCFAC our perspective on cisco re-introductions and look
forward to working with you and the LHCFAC in the future.
Sincerely,
Scott
(See attached file: USFWS whitefish_FINAL.doc)
Scott R. Koproski