Great Lakes Fishery Commission

Ontario is a signatory to the Joint Strategic Plan for Management of Great Lakes Fisheries.  Canada and the U.S. have been managing the fisheries of the Great Lakes together for more than 50 years, since they signed the Convention on Great Lakes Fisheries in 1955.

The Great Lakes Fishery Commission (GLFC) coordinates fisheries research and controls the invasive sea lamprey. It is also a forum for Ontario and the eight U.S. states on the Great Lakes to discuss and make joint decisions about Great Lakes fisheries management.

Lake Committees are the main “hands” of the GLFC; they make joint decisions about managing Great Lakes fisheries. The Ministry of Natural Resources speaks for Ontario’s interests in Great Lakes fisheries through its involvement in four of the Lake Committees:

• The Lake Superior Committee includes representatives of fishery agencies from Ontario and the states of Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin; the Chippewa-Ottawa Treaty Fishery Management Authority; and the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission.
• The Lake Huron Committee includes representatives of fishery agencies from Ontario, Michigan, and the Chippewa-Ottawa Treaty Fishery Management Authority.
• The Lake Erie Committee includes representatives of fishery agencies from Ontario, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York State.
• The Lake Ontario Committee includes representatives of fishery agencies from Ontario and New York State.

Ontario also participates in several other GLFC committees, including the Council of Lake Committees, the Great Lakes Fish Health Committee, the Sea Lamprey Integration Committee and the Council of Great Lakes Fisheries Agencies.

Learn more about the Great Lakes Fishery Commission and its Lake Committees.