The purpose of the CORA and its member tribes’ recreation,
commercial and subsistence fishing regulations is to ensure conservation of
fishery resources in the treaty-ceded waters in the state of Michigan for the
continued use and enjoyment by Indian tribes and all other persons entitled to
use the resources. CORA's commercial and subsistence fishing regulations were
adopted in 2000. The regulations are derived from those of the predecessor
organization COTFMA, which were adopted in 1982. Regulatory changes are
approved and adopted by the CORA board when necessary.
The CORA regulations contain the following general
information: purpose of the regulations, definition of terms, scope and
application of regulations, license definition and restrictions, and
identification. Specific regulations are addressed by area, gear, species and
area closures, season and zone.
Requirements for catch reporting, wholesale and retail
reporting, and subsistence and assessment fishing activities are described in
detail. Jurisdiction and enforcement, criminal penalties, powers of the CORA
Board, and access site regulations are also included.
Copies of the CORA regulations are available at the CORA
office and can also be seen here: CORA CODE
Law Enforcement
Tribal conservation officers are trained at federal or state
police academies. They perform all conservation enforcement investigations and
services in treaty waters, enforce fishing regulations, and work cooperatively
with the Michigan DNR and U.S. Coast Guard. Judicial systems are maintained by
each of the tribes. The courts hear alleged fishing violation cases and impose
sentences on offending tribal members. Management of the Great Lakes Treaty
Fishery would not be complete without adequate conservation enforcement. Tribal
conservation enforcement personnel enforce regulations established by the 2000
Consent Order, CORA and each tribe to protect and conserve the treaty fishery
and its fishers. Tribal conservation officers cooperate with the Michigan DNR,
U.S. Coast Guard, Border Patrol and other duly recognized agencies to enforce
commercial and subsistence fishing activities and safety regulations.
Tribal conservation officers and state conservation officers
have the authority to cite tribal recreational, commercial and subsistence
fishers for civil and criminal infractions. When tribal fishers are cited for a
violation, they are ordered into a tribal court for judgment. Fines of various
amounts, revocation of fishing license and forfeiture of the catch and
equipment are some of the penalties levied.
Tribal, federal and state conservation officers recognize the
need to enforce regulations fairly and uniformly. The Executive Council's Law
Enforcement Committee is composed of tribal, federal, and state conservation
officers. It is responsible for resolving multi-jurisdictional enforcement
fishery issues.
Each of the five tribes has conservation officers who enforce
recreational, commercial, subsistence, and vessel safety regulations in the
treaty waters of the Great Lakes. Tribal conservation officers receive
mandatory police, firearm, and first aid training.
Tribal conservation officers are required to attend annual
training seminars and are advised of regulatory changes and updates. Each officer
is trained to enforce federal and tribal regulations. In addition to mandatory
training and instruction, tribal conservation wardens receive vessel safety,
navigation and rescue training.
