New FY 2008 Aquatic Species Conservation and Management Activity Summary (pdf - 551 Kb)

Background

The Fisheries Program maintains and implements a comprehensive set of tools and activities to conserve and manage self-sustaining populations of native fish and other aquatic resources. Sound science, effective partnerships, and careful planning and evaluation are integral to conservation and management of aquatic species.

Alpena FWCO Aquatic Species Conservation and Management Activities

Native Species Restoration Program
The Native Species Restoration Program conducts investigative and restoration activities on native fishery resources in the St. Marys River, Lake Huron, the St. Clair/Detroit river Waterway, and Western Lake Erie. Native species are an intrinsic part of the ecosystem and are valuable as natural, tribal, recreational, and economic trust species. The Alpena FWCO is currently involved with lake trout restoration and lake sturgeon population investigations.

Aquatic Invasive Species Program
The Aquatic Invasive Species Program addresses invasive nuisance aquatic species that threaten native species and their habitats within the Great Lakes. Alpena FWCO monitors invasive and native species populations at ports and rivers in the St. Marys River and Lake Huron. The station is also making efforts to reduce population numbers of the Eurasian ruffe in Lake Huron waters. Invasive species education is an important mission for the program. Two invasive fish species of particular concern are the round goby and the Eurasian ruffe.

Treaty Fishery Assistance Program
The Treaty Fishery Assistance Program provides technical fishery assistance and support for federally recognized tribes in Michigan. 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. The Treaty Fishery Unit is a component of the Treaty Fishery Assistance Program.

Refuge Fishery Assistance Program
The Refuge Fishery Assistance Program addresses fishery resources on National Wildlife Refuges (NWR) in areas of Michigan and Ohio. Alpena FWCO has conducted fishery resources projects at the Shiawassee NWR in Saginaw, Michigan, the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge (IWR) in Detroit, Michigan, the Ottawa NWR in Oak Harbor, Ohio, and the Michigan Islands NWR.

For recent information on station activities related to Aquatic Species Conservation and Management, review our monthly station newsletter

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