The US Fish and Wildlife Service has faced criticism after laying off 12 employees, including several technicians and biologists, from its Great Lakes field station. The move has raised concerns among conservationists and scientists, who warn that the reduction in staff could have severe consequences for the region's fishery.

According to estimates, the lamprey control program, which is responsible for managing the invasive sea lamprey population in the Great Lakes, could be severely impacted by the layoffs. With a reduced workforce, the program may not be able to effectively control the lamprey population, leading to a potential increase of over one million lampreys. This could result in the loss of nearly 5 million pounds of fish, equivalent to $105 million in economic losses.

The layoffs have also sparked concerns about the long-term sustainability of the Great Lakes fishery. The region's fishing industry is a significant contributor to the local economy, and any disruption to the fishery could have far-reaching consequences for the community.

Despite the concerns, the US Fish and Wildlife Service has stated that the layoffs were necessary due to budget constraints. However, conservationists and scientists argue that the move is short-sighted and could have devastating consequences for the environment and the local economy.