Fishery Research

Theme areas

Research theme areas describe a broad topic of importance to Great Lakes fishery management. Theme areas establish key research questions and hypotheses that become the focus of specific projects.   

• Fish Health and Ecosystem Dysfunction
• Human Dimensions
• Re-establishment of Native Deepwater Fishes
• Physical Processes and Fish Recruitment in Large Lakes
• Council of Lake Committees
• Non-theme Research

Theme development – The leadership for development of research theme areas is provided by members of the Board of Technical Experts. Investigators with ideas for new theme areas should contact the commission’s Science Director.

Theme meetings – The commission sponsors annual meetings under each theme area for investigators conducting related research, regardless of whether they are supported by commission funds. Please contact the Science Director of the commission for meeting dates and locations.

Research to Support Immediate Needs of Great Lakes Fishery Management – Research projects that provide for a quick response to the immediate information needs of Great Lakes fishery management may also be funded. These information needs are described in the Council of Lake Committees Research Priorities documents.

Non-Theme Area Research – Projects that do not fall under any current theme area may also be supported. This provides an opportunity for researchers with highly meritorious concepts, not connected to existing theme areas, to access commission funding. For example, the commission is interested in research investigating Aquatic Protected Areas (APAs) and their design, effectiveness, and establishment. Please read the APA white paper for more information.