Senate Passes Peters’ Bipartisan Legislation to Bolster Great Lakes Fishery Research and Management

Bill Passes with Unanimous Support Amid Trump Administration’s Efforts to Reduce Staffing at Great Lakes Science Center Headquartered in Michigan
WASHINGTON, DC– The Senate unanimously passed bipartisan legislationintroducedby U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) to bolster Great Lakes fishery research and management efforts. TheGreat Lakes Fisheries Research Reauthorization Actwould reauthorize funding for the U.S. Geological Survey’s (USGS) Great Lakes Science Center for another five years, helping to ensure that they are able to continue conducting critical research that supports Great Lakes fisheries. Thisbipartisan bill, which now moves to the House of Representatives, comes amid the Trump Administration’s efforts todrastically reduce staffingat the Great Lakes Science Center headquartered in Ann Arbor.
“The Great Lakes Science Center helps protect the freshwater fisheries and habitats that are invaluable economic and ecological assets for Michigan and the entire Great Lakes Region,”said Senator Peters, Co-Chair of the Senate Great Lakes Task Force. “The Trump Administration’s attempt to slash staffing at the Center is outrageous and recklessly endangers the health of our Great Lakes. I’ll keep fighting to support the Center and see this bill become law.”
Peters introduced the legislation with U.S. Senator Jon Husted (R-OH). Activities carried out by the Great Lakes Science Center include:
Peters has been a steadfast supporter of the Great Lakes, advocating for policies that safeguard Michigan waters, support local economies, and enhance environmental protections. In 2019, Petersled the effortto secure the authorization for the Great Lakes Science Center that Peters’Great Lakes Fisheries Research Reauthorization Actwould extend. Earlier this year, Peters introduced theGreat Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) Act of 2025to reauthorize and expand resources for the GLRI program, which hascarried out the most significant investmentever made to restore our Great Lakes.
As Co-Chair of the Senate Great Lakes Task Force, Peters plays a key role in uniting Great Lakes Basin states to coordinate legislative initiatives, funding priorities, and oversight efforts to address the most important issues facing the Great Lakes, such as invasive species, environmental contamination, shoreline erosion, water quality, infrastructure needs, and more.
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