Senator Slotkin joins anglers, advocates for Petoskey site visit on climate impacts to Michigan fisheries, communities
Site visit and roundtable highlighted impacts of warming waters, extreme weather on Michigan’s fisheries, Great Lakes, infrastructure, and economy
PETOSKEY, MI – Today, U.S. Senator Elissa Slotkin got a firsthand look at how climate change and warmer waters in the Great Lakes are having a significant and damaging impact on Michigan fisheries.
The Michigan League of Conservation Voters (Michigan LCV), the Climate Action Campaign (CAC), Michigan Trout Unlimited, the Great Lakes Business Network, the National Wildlife Federation, the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, and community leaders today hosted Senator Slotkin for a site visit on the Bear River in Petoskey, MI. Senator Slotkin made remarks to the press after hearing from stakeholders and experts at a roundtable discussion about the impact of the climate crisis on Michigan’s fisheries, water infrastructure, outdoor recreation/tourism economy, and disaster preparedness.
“Climate change isn’t some far-off problem. We’re seeing the effect right here in Michigan, whether it’s warmer waters, flooding, extreme weather, and what that means for our fisheries and our local economies,” said U.S. Senator Elissa Slotkin. “The Great Lakes are a fundamental part of who we are as Michiganders and our way of life. This is about being practical: protecting our water, making our communities more resilient, and making sure Michigan is prepared to protect our environment and our Great Lakes.”
“Last month we had 26 fishing trips booked. We canceled 14 of them because of warm water, downed trees, or wildfire smoke,” said Brian Kozminski, a fishing guide with True North Trout. “In 20 years of guiding, I’ve never canceled that many in a single month.”
“From record-setting wildfire smoke to increasingly severe storms damaging communities and infrastructure, northern Michigan is living the impacts of the climate crisis,” said Bentley Johnson, federal government affairs director for the Michigan League of Conservation Voters. “Protecting the Great Lakes, our communities, and our economy that depends on them means tackling the climate crisis head-on and investing in clean, affordable energy, resilient infrastructure, and healthy waters.”
Dr. Marc Gaden, executive secretary of the Canada-US Great Lakes Fishery Commission, says there are significant economic consequences to these climate-related impacts:
“The Great Lakes fishery is a $5.2 billion economic driver for the people of the region, but it is much more than that. It is a way of life in Michigan that brings families together; provides jobs, income, and subsistence; and offers a perfect reason to get out and enjoy nature,” said Dr. Gaden. “As a member of the Senate Great Lakes Task Force, we appreciate everything Senator Slotkin does to protect the fishery from invasive species, to restore fish habitat, and to ensure the ongoing sustainability of this incredible resource.”
In addition to the very real human impacts, wildlife is also paying a price for the climate crisis.
“Climate change is accelerating so many threats to wildlife and ecosystems in Michigan,” said Rebecca Meuninck, Ph.D., Associate Vice President of Eastern Water, of the National Wildlife Federation. “Extreme weather events and warming waters are impacting the health of fish, wildlife, and people”
After recent climate-fueled flooding disasters, devastating ice storms, and wildfire smoke have impacted northern Michigan communities, this event will highlight how climate change, warming waters, pollution, and increasingly severe weather are affecting Michigan’s fisheries, Great Lakes, infrastructure, and economy.