Tory Gabriel

Extension Specialist, Program Manager, Ohio Sea Grant College Program

As Extension Program Leader for Ohio Sea Grant, Tory oversees a team of educators and also serves as Fisheries Educator. His programming focuses on sustainable Lake Erie fisheries including the charter boat industry, sport fishing, and aquatic invasive species prevention.

HERE IS HOW TO GET IN TOUCH

Phone: 419-819-3141
Email: gabriel.78@osu.edu

EXPERTISE / SPECIALIZATIONS

Fisheries
Habitat & Ecosystems
Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS)

Tory is the Extension Program Leader for Ohio Sea Grant and also serves as Fisheries Educator. His responsibilities include managing and providing programmatic direction to the Extension side of OHSG, while also focusing on research, education, and outreach on Lake Erie’s sustainable fisheries.

Tory interacts with a variety of Lake Erie stakeholders, and often works with groups associated with sport fishing such as charter captains and fishing associations. Youth education is also prominent in his programming to help build the next generation of Lake Erie stewards.

Major outreach efforts include the annual Ohio Charter Captains Conference, 4-H Sea Camp on Kelley’s Island, Lake Erie Sport Fishing course at Stone Lab, and hands-on workshops at youth events including sport fishing and aquatic biology. He’s also involved with field research on fish populations for several wetland restoration projects in the Lake Erie watershed.

Tory offers presentations on Lake Erie’s critical issues, including aquatic invasive species prevention. Always clean, drain, and dry all boats, trailers and equipment used in water and never release aquatic pets, plants or bait!

Professional memberships and committees include

American Fisheries Society and Ohio Chapter
Association of Natural Resource Extension Professionals
Great Lakes Panel on Aquatic Nuisance Species (Ohio alternate)
International Association for Great Lakes Research
Joint Council of Extension Professionals
Lake Erie Charter Boat Association
Ohio Academy of Science
Ohio Committee on Aquatic Invasive Species

Tory holds a bachelor’s degree in wildlife biology and a master’s degree in life science education from Ohio University in Athens, Ohio. He began his career as an Ohio Sea Grant Extension Educator in 2008, and is currently based in the Ottawa County Extension Office in Oak Harbor.

Dublin-Jerome High School Students Learn to Harvest, Fillet, and Eat Sustainable Fish

Ohio Sea Grant helped Dublin-Jerome High School students learn to harvest, fillet, and eat fish in a sustainable way. Many students learned a new skill that they can use in the future, and are more confident about the process of harvesting and eating fish.

New Ohio Sea Grant Course Provides Training about Sustainable Angling and Conservation for Ohio Fishing Guides to Reach Thousands of Anglers

Ohio Sea Grant created the Erie PrOH certification program to empower fishing guides to promote the industry, fishery, and conservation-oriented best practices, ultimately benefiting their business while increasing Lake Erie literacy and stewardship. 64 guides became certified in 2023, potentially reaching 12,160 angling clients in 2024.

Sea Camp Continues to Inspire Teens to Connect with Lake Erie

Ohio Sea Grant partnered with multiple state programs to provide a five-day Sea Camp for hundreds of Ohio teens to foster personal connections to Lake Erie and grow into Lake Erie-literate adults.

Empowering the Lake Erie Public to Stop Spread of Invasive Species

Ohio Sea Grant’s educational efforts resulted in an estimated 947 individuals intending to change their behaviors and use lessons learned in future decision making to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species.

Charter Captains Gain Business Tools to Lure New Customers and Profits

Now in its 43rd year and annually reaching hundreds of licensed captains, the Ohio Charter Captains Conference helps Lake Erie charter businesses be more successful through training in business management, regulatory requirements, and environmental issues.

Go Fish: Sport Fishing Experiences Connect Thousands of Ohioans to their Lake Erie Resource

Ohio Sea Grant provides presentations and hands-on sport fishing experiences to hundreds of Ohioans, enhancing their Lake Erie knowledge and stewardship, and encouraging further outdoor activities that improve health and well-being of Lake Erie residents. Since 2008, Ohio Sea Grant’s 189 programs have reached more than 4,852 people, predominantly youth ages 13 to 18.