Great Lakes Fishery Commission

Regional nutrient reduction strategies to reduce phosphorus loading and achieve mesotrophic conditions in the western, central, and nearshore waters of the eastern basins and embayments.

Productivity increased in Lake Erie’s west and central basins during 2016-2020 and remained stable in the east basin. Only the central basin was within the targeted mesotrophic productivity range.

Increase shoreline/nearshore complexity through softening of shorelines, rehabilitation of connected coastal wetlands, and increases in submerged aquatic vegetation.

Identification of functional habitats that support fish stocks was completed during 2016-2020. This work is being used to prioritize potential habitat actions, funding decisions, and research priorities in the Lake Erie basin.