Great Lakes mass marking program

(a) In general To assist in determining the effectiveness of hatchery operations and fisheries management actions and to support Great Lakes fisheries, there is established within the United States Fish and Wildlife Service a program for the mass marking of hatchery-produced fish in the Great Lakes basin, to be known as the Great Lakes Mass Marking Program. (b) Authorized actions In carrying out the Program, the Director may— (1) purchase capital and expendable equipment, fish tags, and other items necessary to support and carry out tagging and tag recovery operations, including data processing and data dissemination relating to those operations; and (2) hire additional personnel, as necessary. (c) Required collaboration In carrying out the Program, the Director shall collaborate with applicable Federal, State, and Tribal fish management agencies, the Council of Lake Committees of the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, and signatories to the Joint Strategic Plan for Management of Great Lakes Fisheries. (d) Availability of data The Director shall make the data collected under the Program available to applicable Federal, State, and Tribal fish management agencies— (1) to increase the understanding of the outcomes of management action; (2) to assist in meeting the restoration objectives of the Great Lakes, including the fish community objectives and fish management plans described in the Joint Strategic Plan for Management of Great Lakes Fisheries; (3) to assist in balancing predators and prey; (4) to support and improve the economic status of Tribal, recreational, and commercial fisheries; and (5) to assist in evaluating the effectiveness of habitat restoration efforts in the Great Lakes.