[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 68 (Thursday, April 18, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Page S2888]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE RESOLUTION 649--RAISING AWARENESS OF LAKE STURGEON (ACIPENSER 
                              FULVESCENS)

  Mr. WELCH submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
the Committee on Environment and Public Works:

                              S. Res. 649

       Whereas lake sturgeon are one of the largest North American 
     freshwater fish and can live for 150 years or longer;
        Whereas lake sturgeon are considered living fossils, as 
     their lineage dates back to the time of dinosaurs, making 
     them one of the oldest fish species still in existence;
       Whereas lake sturgeon are slow to reproduce as they may not 
     spawn until they are 15 to 25 years old and they only spawn 
     every 4 years on average;
       Whereas lake sturgeon are found across the Great Lakes, 
     northeastern United States, and southeastern Canada;
        Whereas lake sturgeon are bottom-dwelling fish that 
     require extensive areas of shallow water to feed on a wide 
     variety of organisms;
       Whereas historical overfishing, invasive species, and 
     habitat degradation have caused declines in the population of 
     local lake sturgeon;
       Whereas many States list lake sturgeon as an endangered, 
     threatened, or otherwise protected species;
       Whereas lake sturgeon serve an important role as an 
     indicator of ecosystem health;
       Whereas lake sturgeon attract the attention of the public 
     because of their large size and prehistoric body;
       Whereas many Federal agencies, States, Tribes, and local 
     communities are collaborating on lake sturgeon management 
     programs that are reestablishing healthy lake sturgeon 
     populations; and
       Whereas lake sturgeon have cultural importance for many 
     indigenous communities, representing a traditional food 
     source: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate encourages--
       (1) continued collaboration among Federal, State, Tribal, 
     and other partners to manage and increase lake sturgeon 
     populations across their extensive range;
       (2) continued efforts to identify, protect, and restore the 
     habitat of lake sturgeon;
       (3) continued efforts to prevent and control invasive 
     species and restore the reproductive habitat of lake 
     sturgeon;
       (4) increased public awareness of lake sturgeon; and
       (5) education of anglers and local communities on the 
     proper ways to handle lake sturgeon if accidentally caught.

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