Congressman Higgins visits the USGS R/V Muskie

Congressman Higgins (NY-26) speaks to the press during a visit to the USGS Research Vessel Muskie. The R/V Muskie was temporarily moored in Buffalo, N.Y., August 8 and 9, 2013.

The R/V Muskie enables researchers at the USGS Great Lakes Science Center's Lake Erie Biological Station to explore the health and population of biological organisms in Lake Erie. Such research is used by federal, state, and tribal resource managers to protect the area's $7 billion annual commercial and sport fisheries. The Muskie provides a safe and reliable platform for scientists, and is equipped with state-of-the-art scientific instrumentation to improve the understanding of deep-water ecosystems and fishes in Lake Erie for ecological management purposes.

Pictured (left to right): Rep. Brian Higgensand Erie Canal Harbor Development Corp. Chairman Robert Gioia.