Helen Domske, New York Sea Grant, Buffalo, E: hmd4@cornell.edu, P: 716-645-3610    

Hamburg, NY, May 4, 2011 - New York Sea Grant is pleased to present the 2011 annual State of Lake Erie Meeting Thursday, May 12th, 7-9 PM, at the Armor Fire Hall, 4932 Clark Street in Hamburg, NY.

Each year, this important program brings together a variety of stakeholders, from anglers to biologists, under one roof for up-to-date reports on ecological information, current initiatives, and future plans.
 
State of Lake Erie is held in partnership with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and in cooperation with New York State Assemblyman Kevin Smardtz and the Southtowns Walleye Association of western New York.
 
The agenda at the 2011 State of Lake Erie meeting includes presentations on:

• New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) Fishing Regulations Proposal
  Don Einhouse, Lake Erie Unit Leader, NYSDEC
  
  
• Review of the 2010 Lake Erie Steelhead Fishery, Reason for Concern?
  Jim Markham, Senior Fishery Biologist, NYSDEC
  
  
• Round Goby Research Update
  Dr. Chris Pennuto, Buffalo State College
   
• Warmwater Fisheries Status & Trends
  Don Einhouse, Lake Erie Unit Leader, NYSDEC
   
• DEC's Great Lakes Fishing Outreach Programs
  Mike Todd, Aquatic Biologist, NYSDEC

New York Sea Grant (NYSG), a statewide network of integrated research, education, and extension services promoting the coastal economic vitality, environmental sustainability and citizen awareness about the State’s marine and Great Lakes resources, is currently in its 40th year of “Bringing Science to the Shore.” NYSG, one of 32 university-based programs under the National Sea Grant College Program of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), is a cooperative program of the State University of New York and Cornell University.
 
The National Sea Grant College Program engages this network of the nation’s top universities in conducting scientific research, education, training, and extension projects designed to foster science-based decisions about the use and conservation of our aquatic resources.