Great Lakes Mass Marking Program Act

HR 7166, the Great Lakes Mass Marking Program Act, establishes a formal program under the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to mass-tag hatchery-raised fish stocked in the Great Lakes. The bill authorizes $5 million annually (2025-2029) to purchase tagging equipment, hire staff, and share data with state, tribal, and federal agencies. This data helps managers understand how hatchery fish interact with wild fish, evaluate stocking effectiveness, and balance predator-prey relationships to support native species recovery and fisheries. The program directly affects Great Lakes state and tribal fishery management agencies, which use the data to make decisions about stocking rates, habitat restoration, and economic sustainability for recreational and commercial fishing.