Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details

The GLSC is using advanced technologies to improve fisheries assessments on the Great Lakes. In August and September, 2022, Dr. Pete Esselman (GLSC, Ann Arbor, Michigan) and Dan Yule (GLSC, Ashland, Wisconsin) are leading a mission on Lake Superior that brings together state, federal, tribal, Canadian provincial, private, non-profit, and academic partners using advanced fishery research approaches to enhance fishery assessment methods. Six different research vessels operated by the USGS, the states of Minnesota and Wisconsin, the Grand Portage and Red Cliff Bands of Lake Superior Chippewa, and the Province of Ontario will be used along with four autonomous vehicles during the month-long fisheries science mission. On the morning of August 9 at the USGS-leased dock in Ashland, GLSC and the Great Lakes Fishery Commission (GLFC) hosted a Celebration of USGS Advanced Technologies in Great Lakes Fishery Research that also served as a kick-off for the 2022 mission. Approximately 60 guests attended the event including Department of the Interior Assistant Secretary for Water and Science Tanya Trujillo, USGS Director David Applegate, local Congressman Tom Tiffany (WI-07), GLFC Executive Secretary Bob Lambe, senior fishery managers from states and inter-tribal organizations, tribal leaders, other USGS and sister-agency leaders and partners, local elected officials, media, and many others. Following a series of comments by dignitaries, senior leaders, and Dr. Esselman, guests explored stations set up on the dock and the USGS research vessel Kiyi to learn about the GLSC Advanced Technologies program, the 2022 mission on Lake Superior, and the GLSC Deepwater Science Program in general. The evening before, GLSC hosted a vessel cruise aboard the Kiyi on Lake Superior with around 30 of the participants, including Hanna Alstead, the Northeast Regional Director from the office of Senator Tina Smith (MN). The Celebration event and the broader 2022 mission was picked up by numerous media outlets and included several interviews with Dr. Esselman:  

• Uncrewed watercraft sails on Lake Superior helping fish researchers | Wisconsin Public Radio (wpr.org),  
• 2 remote-controlled Saildrones launched on Lake Superior to gather fish data - mlive.com,  
• Underwater and on the surface, drones study Lake Superior's small fish - Duluth News Tribune,  
• Drones set sail on Lake Superior - TBNewsWatch.com,  
• Unmanned drones are scouring Lake Superior for vital fishery data. (secondwavemedia.com),  
• Saildrones set sail on Lake Superior to assist USGS with fishery population study | WXPR,  
• Drones set sail on Lake Superior - Sault Ste. Marie News (sootoday.com),  
• Around the Circle This Week: August 18, 2022 - Lake Superior Magazine,  
• Great Lakes Fishery Research Uses New Drone Technologies - Fox21Online,  
• Drones to give new glimpse of life under Superior | State | leadertelegram.com,  
• Morning News – August 12 – Wawa-news.com,  
• Drones set sail on Lake Superior - Sudbury News,