The industries supported by Ohio's sport and commercial fisheries have experienced economic declines in recent years. The fishing industries have been affected by ecological changes in Lake Erie which have restructured food webs and altered fish distribution and behavior, which in turn alter angling success and participation. Demographic trends and changes in youth social behavior have reduced the entry of new participants into fishing activities. Continuous new findings and concerns about aquatic nuisance species, fish contaminants and other environmental stresses create an ongoing demand for information by the angling public. Anglers and businesses dependent on the Lake Erie sport fishery need and want information to improve their recreational experience and business activities.

One of the strengths of the Ohio Sea Grant Extension Program is the ability of Sea Grant agents to develop formal and informal networks and collaborations with peers from other programs and agencies to solve distinct problems. Ohio Sea Grant Extension is successful in connecting "grassroots" citizens, agency officials and university researchers to solve problems. The development of stronger cooperative programs with the Lake Erie Nature and Science Center, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Great Lakes Fisheries Commission, Great Lakes Sport Fishing Council, Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation and United States Geological Survey could further fulfill the original Sea Grant mandate of connecting the public with information resources within local, state and federal agencies as well university research communities.

Additional educational needs have arisen as state and federal budget cuts have caused several agencies to cut or restrict their information and education sections. The addition of a fisheries extension agent to Ohio Sea Grant would have positive economic and social benefits and improve the access of the fishing public to the resources of collaborating local, state, and federal agencies involved in sustainable fisheries management and fisheries education. Congress has mandated that a renewed emphasis on fisheries extension be introduced for at least five years beginning with 2003-2004. With Ohio's fisheries extension enhancement proposal we will meet the needs of the local citizens and the mandate of Congress.

1. Develop a focused fisheries extension program utilizing the Sea Grant Extension model as explained in the Sea Grant book, Fundamentals of a Sea Grant Extension Program.
2. Hire a full-time fisheries extension agent.
3. Assemble and regularly convene a Sea Grant Extension Advisory Committee (SGEAC) to collect programming input from the private sector and agency partners.
4. Establish a Fisheries Extension Outreach Team (FEOT) among fisheries-related agencies to identify fisheries information needs and establish new outreach initiatives.
5. Develop and implement a comprehensive curriculum of extension education and training programs in all shoreline counties and selected inland areas to increase public knowledge of fisheries issues and fishing methodology, and increase fishing participation.
6. Produce fisheries extension publications and digital materials to support the fisheries curriculum previously described.
7. Support and participate in the activities of the regional Great Lakes Fisheries Leadership Institute and conduct the Institute within Ohio.
8. Incorporate formative and summative evaluation tools into the development and assessment of the fisheries extension enhancement program.
9. Progress of this program will be monitored and evaluated by the Sea Grant Extension co-coordinators and the annual OSU Extension agent review process.
10. Our Director, Dr. Jeffrey M. Reutter, will contribute 25% of his time to assure that our new efforts to collaborate on outreach efforts are successful and are recognized at the highest levels within each of the participating organizations: the Lake Erie Nature and Science Center, the Ohio Division of Wildlife (ODNR), the Great Lakes Fisheries Commission, the Great Lakes Sport Fishing Council, the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation, the Lake Erie Marine Trades Association, the Lake Erie Charter Boat Association, and many other groups (see support letters).

2008 ACCOMPLISHMENTS

VII. Fisheries

A. Partnering to improve fisheries management

Snyder represented the Great Lakes Sea Grant Network at the Fisheries Extension Enhancement (FEE) Initiative Review in Silver Springs, MD to build a justification for continued funding of the FEE program. (Apr 2008) 

A new fisheries program coordinator (Tory Gabriel) was hired to continue Ohio Sea Grant’s FEE project and a training program was initiated. Snyder is PI on the grant and is Gabriel's mentor. (Snyder, Reutter, Lichtkoppler and Kelch, Apr 2008)

Seventeen participants learned more about Lake Erie fisheries management and Lake Erie issues at the Third Great Lakes Fishery Leadership Institute conducted at Ohio State University’s F. T. Stone Laboratory October 10-12, 2008.  All of the participants plan to share what they learned at GLFLI. Post program evaluations were very high. “I learned more about fisheries management” and “I learned more about Lake Erie issues” both scored 4.8 on a scale of 1 equal to Strongly Disagree to 5 equal to Strongly Agree.  Evaluation scores of 4.9 on the same 1 to 5 scale indicated that participants strongly agreed that the educational materials presented at the workshop will help them better understand the issues surrounding fisheries management in Lake Erie. (Gabriel, Lichtkoppler, Kelch, Snyder, Braig, Thomas, Hageman, Reutter et al.) 

In an effort to monitor the spread of VHS throughout the state of Ohio, a partnership was formed between Ohio Sea Grant, the Ohio Department of Agriculture, and the US Fish & Wildlife Service.  Fish samples were collected at specific sites throughout the state by using electro-shocking equipment, and subsequently sent to the ODA for testing.  These data were then used to assess Ohio’s response to the APHIS order of 2006, and were presented at the 2008 Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. (Gabriel; Dec 2008)

B. Caring for people

Twenty educators took advantage of a professional development opportunity via a presentation on Lake Erie aquatic biology and fish identification.  All in attendance also received information on continuing education and field trip opportunities through Stone Lab, and were presented with tangible educational tools regarding Lake Erie biology.  (Gabriel; June 2008)

C. Contaminants and fish consumption

Eighteen conservationists received knowledge on the Ohio fish consumption advisories during a presentation that was part of the National River Rally sponsored by the River Network.  They learned more about specific contaminants, where they come from, how the advisories were formed and what they mean to the individual, and how to prepare fish to minimize contaminants.  (Gabriel; May 2008) 

Twenty senior citizens were engaged in a presentation which educated observers on the Lake Erie fishery, rules and regulations, consumption advisories, and preparation techniques.  In addition, eighteen inner city Cleveland high school students were provided a hands on experience involving various aquatic science field techniques and applications of scientific methods.  These engagements resulted in underrepresented populations developing personal affiliations to Ohio Sea Grant. (Gabriel; Apr & May 2008) 

VIII. Marine and Aquatic Science Literacy 

Over seventy high school sophomores from Midwest Ohio took part in the Lake Erie Overview program, in which they were presented with current scientific information on regional issues such as climate change, phosphorous loading, aquatic invasive species, dead zones, and VHS, and how these affect Lake Erie aquatic biology.  They were also educated on Ohio Sea Grant/Stone Lab programs, and provided with brochures for future opportunities regarding course work.  (Gabriel; Oct 2008) 

An aquatic science-based program entitled “Lake Erie Fishing 101” was created to provide beginners with a basic knowledge of Lake Erie fishery science and techniques for putting theory in to practice.  This program was delivered to over 80 children at Aquatic Adventures summer camp, and again to 40 Cub Scouts.  Multiple programs were sustained, including a Lake Erie Sportfishing workshop where participants learned aquatic biology concepts and application in relation to sportfishing, an Intro to Aquatic Science program delivered to almost 400 Ottawa County 4^th graders, and an Aquatic Field Sampling Techniques program in conjunction with Case Western Reserve University faculty delivered to 30 middle school students.  (Gabriel; July-Sept 2008) 

Programs on Lure Making, Aquatic Biology, Snorkeling Shipwrecks, and Fishing Techniques were sustained at 4-H Sea Camp on Kelly’s Island.  Over 65 adolescents received knowledge on casting, trolling, knot-tying, and filleting and preparing a catch, as well as field sampling techniques, identification skills, Lake Erie habitats and ecosystems, invasive species, and other topics.  (Gabriel; July 2008) 

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Following successful acquisition of funding under National Sea Grant's "Fisheries Extension Enhancement" program, Ohio Sea Grant hired a new Fisheries Extension Program Coordinator, Kelly Riesen. Riesen will develop and deliver educational programs in fisheries, sport fishing and aquatic science, and strengthen fisheries education ties among Great Lakes federal and state agencies and private organizations. (Reutter, Kelch, Snyder, Hageman, & Lichtkoppler, Jul 2004)

Kelch is the immediate supervisor and mentor for the new Fisheries Extension Program Coordinator, Kelly Riesen. As such, Kelch has initiated new extension agent training, orientation, and coordination of educational programs for the new coordinator. Kelch has assisted in the development of current educational programs being used by the coordinator, and has mentored the coordinator on numerous educational program activities (Jul-Sep 2004).

III. Coastal Communities and Economics

A. Improve coastal planning, educate planners, build leadership, and develop decision-support systems

A Sea Grant Extension Advisory Committee (SGEAC) for Fisheries Extension representing state, federal and international agencies, private stakeholders and the outdoor media has been assembled. The first meeting of this committee is pending and committee recommendations will be incorporated into outreach activities. (Riesen, Feb-Mar)

VIII. Marine and Aquatic Science Literacy

A. Create and sustain effective marine and aquatic science-based educational programs

Hundreds of individuals learned more about Lake Erie and Lake Erie angling during the Northeast Ohio Sport, Travel and Outdoor Expo, held in Akron, Ohio. (Riesen, Jentes, Aylsworth Jan 2005)

Over 150 individuals gained or increased their skills in steelhead fishing in Lake Erie tributaries during a steelhead angling seminar, held in Ashland, Ohio. (Riesen, Kelch Feb 2005)

Over 300 individuals increased their knowledge of Lake Erie through 3 presentations involving Lake Erie ecology and related topics. (Riesen Feb-Mar 2005)

Fisheries Extension Program Coordinator, Riesen, was nominated to serve on Ohio Central Basin Steelheaders board of directors, and the Women in the Outdoors planning committee. (Feb-Mar 2005)

B. Expand professional development opportunities for all educators

Fisheries Extension Coordinator, Riesen, developed skills in Sea Grant programming by attending the National Sea Grant Academy, Lower Great Lakes Committee Meetings, and Ohio Coastal Training Program. (Mar 2005)

C. Engage underrepresented populations in Sea Grant efforts

24 women acquired steelhead angling skills in Lake Erie tributaries through a hands-on education approach, held in Cleveland, Ohio. (Riesen, Kelch Feb 2005)

201 Lake Erie charter boat captains gained new marketing strategies for including underrepresented female clientele into their business operations through a new initiative entitled Women: Sport Fishing's Untapped Market. Two charter operators to date have requested copies of the presentation materials to incorporate into their businesses. (Riesen, Mar 2005)