[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 649 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

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118th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 649

       Raising awareness of lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens).


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                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             April 18, 2024

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

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                               RESOLUTION


 
       Raising awareness of lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens).

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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