2026 House Resolution 370

Whereas, Double-crested cormorants pose a potential risk to Michigan’s fisheries, wildlife, private property, and agricultural and aquacultural operations. Michigan’s commercial and recreational fishing economies have already reported on the negative impacts of cormorants, which eat one pound of fish per day on average. This can substantially reduce the number of fish available for commercial and recreational fishing; and

Whereas, According to the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, Michigan’s recreational fishing sector has an economic impact of 5.1 billion dollars annually and supports over 18,700 jobs. Congress now has the opportunity to help mitigate the problems posed by cormorants and to manage the cormorant population by requiring the development of a cormorant population management framework; and

Whereas, During the 119th Congress, U.S. Congressman Tim Wahlberg of Michigan introduced House Bill 8195, titled the “Responsible Cormorant Management and Control Act of 2026.” The bill directs the Secretary of the Interior, in coordination with the four Regional Flyway Councils, to develop regional management frameworks for the taking of double-crested cormorants. Local fisheries and commercial fishing organizations, including the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation and the American Sportfishing Association, have already voiced their support for Congressman Wahlberg’s bill, recognizing that if the population of double-crested cormorants continues to grow, challenges for fisheries, wildlife populations, and public and private aquaculture facilities will likely worsen; and

Whereas, Endangering Great Lakes fisheries would be catastrophic for Michigan as fishing supports local jobs and tourism, generating significant economic benefits for the state. Congress should not waste the opportunity to develop a workable solution to managing the double-crested cormorant population in Michigan; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we urge the United States Congress to pass legislation to manage the taking of double-crested cormorants; and be it further

Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.