Established in 1973 under Article VI of the Great Lakes Fishery Commission
Convention between the United States and Canada (1955), the Great Lakes Fish
Health Committee serves as the instrument of the Commission in coordinating
regional efforts in the Great Lakes basin to prevent introduction and
dissemination of communicable fish diseases by:
- recommending and fostering conduct of research and studies related to fish
health and disease control;
- recommending and coordinating measures which minimize risk of introduction
and dissemination of communicable fish disease; and
- preparing for publication scientific and other information related to fish
health protection.
The Committee consists of two representatives appointed by each
agency formally cooperating with the Great Lakes Fishery Commission. (Currently,
these agencies are of the eight Great Lakes states, the Province of Ontario, the
two federal governments, and the tribes.) Technical advisors approved by the
Committee are periodically invited to provide specialist expertise as required
to enhance the conduct of the Committee's work.
For deliberations of this Committee, the area of concern is as
defined in the Great Lakes Fishery Commission Convention: "Lake Ontario
(including the St. Lawrence River from Lake Ontario to the 45th Parallel of
latitude), Lake Erie, Lake Huron (including Lake St. Clair), Lake Michigan, Lake
Superior and their connecting waters,. . . " and the area of concern
". . .shall also apply to the tributaries of each of the above waters to
the extent necessary to investigate any stock of fish of common concern, the
taking of habitat of which is confined predominantly to the Convention
Area." Decisions will be reached by consensus or some other polling
procedures as directed by the Committee Chairman. When consensus cannot be
achieved, the concerns of all members shall be described in the Committee's
report to the Commission.
