ALPENA — Congressman Bergman (R) from Watersmeet, the U.S. Representative for Northeast Michigan, urges Governor Whitmer in a letter sent to her office to re-examine the 2023 Fishing Decree to address concerns and inquiries about its language, specifically on the allowance of gillnets for Indigenous Tribes of Michigan.

The agreement between four Native American tribes and the state and federal governments sets tribal fishing rules in different parts of lakes Michigan, Huron, and Superior.

The new deal allows the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, Bay Mills Indian Community, the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians, and the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians to put gillnets in more locations in the lakes, which has become a controversial topic among anglers and commercial fishers.

State fishery officials say gillnets catch large numbers of fish by the gill and suffocate the fish, meaning most fish die in the nets. Any fish not legally permitted to be used or sold will die and later be discarded, officials said.

“My staff and I have been in contact with a number of local organizations and individual constituents with concerns since the agreement was finalized and approved – including small business owners, conservation groups, and recreational anglers,” Congressman Bergman said in an email commenting on his letter. “They have a wide range of perspectives on the issue, and many have felt that their questions and worries have not been adequately addressed by the State of Michigan so far.”