The Joint U.S.–Canadian Committee of Advisors to the Great Lakes Fishery Commission has called on the U.S. Congress to approve funding to fight invasive mussels in the Great Lakes.
“Invasive mussels continue to fundamentally alter the Great Lakes ecosystem and threaten the fish populations, communities, and economies that depend on these waters,” the advisors said in a 3 June joint resolution.
Since their introduction to the Great Lakes in the 1980s, zebra and quagga mussels have “caused widespread ecological and economic damages,” the advisors added. The shellfish excessively filter water in the lakes, disrupting the lifecycles of other species.
The committee wants Congress to pass the Save the Great Lakes Fish Act, legislation introduced last year that would authorize USD 500 million (EUR 431 million) in spending over the next ten years to combat the invasive mussels. That money would be made available to the Great Lakes Fishery Commission through 2035.
"The ecological health and well-being of our Great Lakes fisheries is vital to Michigan’s economy and our way of life," U.S. Representative Tim Walberg (R-Michigan) said when introducing the legislation in November 2025. "However, this precious and indispensable resource has been threatened by many challenges over the years, including the presence of invasive mussels. I am proud to join [U.S. Representative Debbie Dingell (D-Michigan) on this bipartisan effort to combat the spread of invasive mussels, protect the health of our fisheries, and ensure that future generations of Michiganders can enjoy this national treasure."
Since its introduction, however, no action has been taken on the bill. In their resolution, the committee calls on the Great Lakes Fisheries Commission to advocate fully for the bill, and for lawmakers in Congress to approve the funding.
“The U.S. and Canadian Committees of Advisors call on Congress to pass bill H.R. 6053, beginning the process for coordinating a plan for invasive mussel control and allocating new funds for mussel control and research,” the committee stated in its resolution.
