The annual State of the Great Lakes report has been released by the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy.
The report highlights issues impacting the various industries and communities that rely on the Great Lakes in some way — agriculture, wildlife management, tourism and more.
The Office of the Great Lakes, within EGLE, says a main priority for 2025 will be combatting pollution of different kinds.
“I think we’re seeing more public interest and public concern around water pollution, and that’s that’s across all types of pollutants,” said Tom Zimnicki, agriculture and restoration policy director of the Alliance for the Great Lakes. “Whether that’s plastics or or agriculture or invasive species.”
The report says that there will be a focus on plastic cleanup, limiting runoff from agriculture and reducing the frequency of algae blooms that can leave waterways unsafe for human use.
The full report can be found here.
On the wildlife side, experts say that one issue stands out as a particular area of concern for the near future — invasive species.
Asian carp, also known as copi, have threatened the Great Lakes for decades. The fish have established populations in the Mississippi River, but have long posed threats to other bodies of water.
“Everybody from the entire Great Lakes is interested in it,” David Maturen, president of the Michigan Lakes and Stream Association. “But obviously Michigan, since we have four of the five Great Lakes bordering us, we certainly probably have a bigger interest than just about anybody.”
According to EGLE, as few at 10 male and female carp could make up a reproducing population, further complicating conservation efforts.
“That’s tied to our fisheries and tourism industries — beach towns and communities,” said Mike Alaimo, director of legislative affairs for the Michigan Chamber. “The overall ecological health of the Great Lakes so really important.”
Carp could threaten Michigan’s $7 billion Great Lakes fishing industry, and have a domino effect in other sectors.
According to the National Park Service, carp can overtake environments and outcompete native fish for food, leading to declines in native species over time.
Experts say that it’s important to prioritize mitigation efforts before any populations establish themselves in the great lakes.
“It’s a lot easier to nip it in the bud, or never have the introduction, than it is to try to clean them up,” Maturen said.