Erie, PA – According to the Erie Times-News, a groundbreaking initiative to achieve 100% utilization of fish cleaned in the Great Lakes region launched at the Walnut Creek Marina Fish Cleaning Station on Lake Erie.
On March 23, representatives from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission and the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Governors and Premiers announced that the station, located at 241 Manchester Road, had signed the Governors’ and Premiers’ 100% Great Lakes Fish Pledge. This marked the debut of the 100% fish initiative, with Walnut Creek becoming the first sport fish cleaning station in the region to participate.
“This marks the launch of our 100% fish initiative,” stated John Schmidt, program manager for the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Governors and Premiers. “Walnut Creek will be the first sport fish cleaning station to join the initiative, and we hope to attract many more.”
The pledge focuses on recycling fish waste generated after filleting or gutting, transforming what was once discarded into valuable resources. Mike Parker, communications director for the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, emphasized the importance of proper fish waste management. “People go home and eat them, and then what gets left over?” Parker explained. “When you take what you need from the fish like the filets, then the rest of it goes into this disposal. There is a large cooler which stays refrigerated, and those parts eventually get picked up. Currently, our partner comes when needed, and the leftovers get used as fertilizer or as part of agricultural purposes.”
During the announcement, organizers showcased potential products derived from recycled fish waste, including fertilizer, pet treats, wallets, keychains, and even materials for medical research from fish skins. Schmidt highlighted the global context: “There’s an illustrative list of different things that can be made from these products. That cements this idea of 100% fish because right now, roughly 40% of the fish is used around the world, and that’s the filet. The remaining 60% of the fish is too often discarded or used for low-value alternatives. What the 100% fish initiative is trying to do here in the region is to turn this into the first 100% fishery in the world.”
Walnut Creek serves as a model for other cleaning stations, demonstrating user-friendly facilities that allow anglers to process their catch on-site without transporting mess home. Tim Schaeffer, executive director of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, praised the station’s design. “These facilities here are vital,” Schaeffer said. “What you see is what you get. They are user-friendly. You can imagine coming up here hopefully with your limit of walleye and using the tables and not having to take all that mess home with you.”
In the summer of 2025, the station handled 85 tons of fish waste, equivalent to the weight of 333 average-size pumpkins or nine-and-a-half tyrannosaurus rexes, underscoring the volume of Lake Erie fishing activity. A demonstration during the event showed the cleaning process, with waste directed to a refrigerated cooler for pickup by partners who convert it into agricultural resources.
Funding for the initiative and the station, built in 2021, comes from Lake Erie fishing permits purchased by anglers. “The reason for this facility was through the Lake Erie permits that everyone buys here to fish on this amazing fishery,” Parker noted. “We took funds from that and created a few fish stations, including Walnut Creek.” Schaeffer added that permit revenues support various fish-related projects, justifying the investment in sustainable infrastructure.
This effort not only promotes environmental conservation but also enhances the Great Lakes fishing experience by addressing waste management challenges. As more stations join, the initiative could set a precedent for sustainable practices across the region, benefiting both anglers and ecosystems. For more information, visit Erie Times-News.