Saginaw Bay Fish Community Survey

For 22 years, Saginaw Bay has been the subject of a fish community survey that strove to document the changing food web and status of key species. The original PI’s couldn’t have predicted all the change that would transpire, instead they sought to design a robust survey that would remain relevant. It has succeeded describing many changes in the fish community. The data series is much sought after by Federal and university researchers for their analysis. This study coupled with two other SFR funded projects on the bay (a tagging study and creel survey) has fueled the development of advanced stock assessment models. The large data sets that have resulted have become a sort of “informational heritage” for the citizens of the State of Michigan. The value of these data far surpasses the original cost of funding the survey or the collection of the data. The Sport Fish Restoration Program in the United States can be credited as perhaps the single most significant funding source in the history of our profession. The knowledge and information gathered through SFR-funded Research and Surveys has served as the basis for scientific management and sustainable use of fishery resources across the country.