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Partnering for coldwater fisheries conservation

Dave Nyberg, a member of the Natural Resources Commission, holds a walleye. Nyberg spoke about the NRC its mission on Wednesday before the Fred Waara Chapter of Trout Unlimited at the Zephyr Wine Bar + Cafe. (Photo courtesy of Dave Nyberg)

By CHRISTIE BLECK

Journal Staff Writer

MARQUETTE — The Fred Waara Chapter of Trout Unlimited, not surprisingly, is interested in trout, so its “Fishing After Hours” program on Wednesday was of particular interest, even though part of the event focused on the Arctic grayling.

Presenting the program “Partnership in Coldwater Fisheries Conservation” at the Zephyr Wine Bar + Cafe was Dave Nyberg of Skandia, a member of the Natural Resources Commission,

“Me wearing my commission hat for the state of Michigan, working with entities like Trout Unlimited and its chapters and you all on a regular basis, really is the best interest of the resource,” Nyberg said, “and what you all do to steward fishing and conservation for youth, we have mutual missions, and we really need to be working together for more often.”

Nyberg has a lot of experience in the natural resources arena, including working for the Michigan United Conservation Clubs and serving as deputy legal counsel and tribal governments liaison to former Gov. Rick Snyder.

Nyberg now is corporate engagement director at Northern Michigan University.

Nyberg, who was appointed to the commission in 2018, said he takes his NRC role seriously.

However, he acknowledged he’s not a biologist, but pointed out that experts work for the Fisheries and Wildlife divisions of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

“We rely on their input and their expertise, and it’s impressed upon us and entrusted by us by the people of Michigan to make the best decision for the resource,” Nyberg said.

The NRC is a seven-member public body whose members are appointed by the governor. The commission has exclusive authority to regulate the taking of game and sportfishing. It also is authorized to designate game species and establish the first open season for animals through issuing orders.

Rules, though, can evolve over time.

One of the coldwater species discussed on Wednesday was brook trout, a popular game fish in the Upper Peninsula and throughout Michigan.

Earlier this year, it was announced that an experimental regulation that allowed for 33 streams in the U.P. to have a 10-fish daily possession limit for brook trout no longer was in effect.

At its regular January meeting in Lansing, the NRC voted to return the five-fish daily limit to those streams.

“One of the hypotheses for this regulation change in the first place was that you would see more people fishing if there was a higher bag limit,” Nyberg said. “There were a lot of people that questioned that, but the (Fisheries) division reported that there was no observed increase in fishing pressure, and actually, possibly, a decline in fishing in those streams.”

He said that an argument can be made that test streams already were in areas with low fishing pressure, but he noted several factors, such as weather, could have come into play.

“I didn’t get one phone call from any U.P. resident that asked for keeping the regulation at 10 for these streams,” Nyberg said. “Isn’t that interesting?”

Nyberg also talked about the Michigan Arctic Grayling Initiative, a partnership between the DNR and the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians whose aim is to bring back the extirpated species to the state.

Extirpated means a species once was found in a region but no longer is an inhabitant.

Factors for the grayling status, Nyberg said, includes logging and introduction of non-native species such as brown trout.

Grayling, being what Nyberg called a great game species, might be on the list of many anglers’ bucket lists.

It’s hard to catch such a fish, though, when it isn’t found in the state.

That could change.

“We have new technology and science and research on Arctic grayling, and it’s been done successfully in other states,” Nyberg said, “and so we’re working with those other states, specifically Montana and Alaska.”

In June, the Oden State Fish Hatchery in downstate Alanson was outfitted with modern technology to help with the project, with fish obtained from Alaska being reared at the hatchery, according to Nyberg, who said the fish will be transferred to the Marquette State Fish Hatchery in Harvey.

Troy Zorn, fisheries research biologist at the Marquette hatchery, said one raceway will house the fish beginning in August if they pass their health screenings.

He also said Cherry Creek water will run through that outside raceway.

“They should be just fine,” Zorn said.

Nyberg said scientific evaluations for the initiative will continue downstate on the Manistee River and will begin on the Jordan, Maple and Boardman rivers to determine the suitability for conservation.

Regarding his role in fisheries projects, Nyberg said he seeks input from knowledgeable people.

“I get thoughtful input or suggestions from the fishing public or organizations like you all,” Nyberg said. “I consult with Jim Dexter, our (DNR) Fisheries chief, and relevant local biologists on what their insights are, and I try to make an informed decision.”

As for the other commissioners?

“I know they do the same,” Nyberg said.

Christie Bleck can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 250. Her email address is cbleck@miningjournal.net

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