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We wanted to update you on what the GLSI is working on in the next few months. As we reported earlier, Michigan will not be increasing king salmon stocking in 2022 reducing back to the 2020 stocking levels. Stocking was increased in 2021 to offset no steelhead being stocked and now that steelhead stocking is resuming, king stocking goes back down to 654,000.  The reason cited for this was that there was not a consensus from the members of the Lake Michigan Committee. The Lake Michigan Committee is made of up of representatives of the surrounding Great Lakes States and CORA representing the tribal nations. We would like to see this process become more transparent with these meetings being open to the public so stakeholders can understand the decision-making process. The first action we have taken is to file FOIA requests for all the meeting notes, minutes, and emails to each state for 2021 meetings. The process is slow going and we are waiting for this information.  The MDNR responded promptly but we are waiting for the information from the other Lake Michigan states.   Michigan did go to the committee recommending a stocking increase for 2022 but the majority did not agree.  We will have more to come on this as we obtain this information.  We will be working to improve this process so these decisions are not a surprise and anglers understand how and why these decisions are made.  

Our next project will be to help protect our planted smolts.  The MDNR started a program to arrange volunteers to gather at plant sites to non-lethally harass avian predators like cormorants and gulls who feast on newly planted fish. Many anglers have asked for this. This new program is not well known or publicized much. We are going to work on that and help coordinate and organize volunteers so that more smolts survive those first few days after planting. Look for more information on how you can participate this spring.

Our tagged head reward drawing for 2021 will happen in late January or early February after all tagged heads our processed. We look forward to awarding some great prizes from our sponsors Captain Chucks, Moonshine Lures, Blood Run Tackle, Jay’s Sporting Goods and Collins Design and Build.  Please be sure to support these sponsors as they give back to our fishery.

We will also be planning an annual meeting in 2022 so look for more information to come. We are now launching our annual membership renewal campaign for 2022. You can renew your membership for as little at $20.  We are fighting for our king salmon fishery; our board is all unpaid volunteers and we run a very tight budget.  Your membership funds the cost for items like our FOIA requests and every dollar goes direct to our mission to advocate for our silver fisheries in the Great Lakes. 
If you support what we do, please renew your membership so we can continue to advocate for the fishery we all love. If you have renewed recently since Oct 1st, we appreciate it and applied it to your 2022 membership. You can renew at this link.

glsalmon.org/great-lakes-salmon-initiative-memberships/

Thanks for your support!