Mild algal bloom still affects local businesses

The official word from NOAA is that the 2018 Western Lake Erie harmful algal bloom (HAB), which was noticeably less visible this summer, fell into the "mild" category at 3.6 on the 0-10 Severity Index scale developed in 2014.The 300 metric tons of phosphorous loaded into the Maumee River this spring suggested that the bloom would fall between 4.9 to 7.8 when the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration made its annual HAB prediction on July 12.The reasons for the over-estimation was due to an earlier, late-June bloom that may have consumed some of the phosphorous. Also, less rain than usual in July limited additional nutrient inputs.In wetter years, algal blooms become larger, such as the record 10.5 in 2015, 10.0 in 2011 and 8.0 in 2017. They stay small in dry years such as this summer (3.6), 3.2 in 2016 and 2.9 in 2012.Even when the blooms are mild, Lake Erie Charter Boat Association (LECBA) President Paul Pacholski says his Western Basin member captains are reporting a 20-to-33-percent decline in bookings due to previous algae encounters by their customers and the negative press that occurs about the blooms.When their customers go elsewhere, sales at local hotels, restaurants, gas stations, bait shops and other local businesses suffer.He says that their traditional six-month fishing season (April-September) has effectively evolved into a three-month season (April-June) because of the algal blooms and walleyes migrating eastward earlier to escape higher water temperatures in the Western Basin.Also, despite robust Western Basin yellow perch populations, the former late summer/fall bite that used to attract customers in September and October has been absent for some unexplained reason the past two years.In addition to changes to seasonal fishing patterns, the Western Basin captains feel disproportionately impacted by the actions of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.Last year, along with more than 40 sportsmen and conservation groups, the LECBA supported an increase in general hunting and fishing license prices to help with fish and game management, research, law enforcement personnel levels and stocking efforts.But instead, the ODNR steered the Ohio Legislature away from any resident license increases. A new $11 Lake Erie Sportfishing Permit was instituted that will require non-residents who fish between Jan. 1 and April 30 in Lake Erie and its tributaries to a defined point upriver to purchase this stamp.It effectively doubles the price of a 1-day license for non-residents, from $11 to $22. A 3-day license climbs over one-third from $19 to $30. Plus, a $5.50 "convenience fee" is added for either if purchased over the telephone.This mainly affects the Western Basin captains who are the primary guides chartering trips for non-residents before May while this stamp is required.Such a steep jump gives non-resident anglers another reason, in addition to algal blooms, to skip Western Basin trips and just wait until after the stamp is required and fish the algae-free Central Basin.At the recent LECBA meeting, these impediments to their businesses were discussed, along with ways that the Ohio Division of Wildlife could help ameliorate the effects with changes to their 2019 fishing regulations:One rule change that was already approved by the Ohio Wildlife Council is to allow the take of one black bass (smallmouth or largemouth) over 18-inches long per day during what was previously the closed spring season.Removing the $11 non-resident Lake Erie Sportfishing Permit stamp requirement when 1-day licenses are purchased would reduce the 100-percent hike "sticker shock" and help to retain these customers.The current table used to set annual walleye bag limits, tied to an annual population-based quota, was developed to rehabilitate distressed population levels. The table has no pre-determined bag limits to accommodate current population increases of the current magnitude.To encourage spring bookings while the walleye population is this high, implement a biologically justified return of spring bag limits of four back to six * (but keep the maximum at six year-round).* The Sandusky River should be conservatively managed, given the recent removal of the Ballville Dam, to allow population expansion of walleyes in this hydrologically restored stream.The Lake Erie law enforcement headquarters should remain in Sandusky, not split between Findlay and Akron as the current ODNR administration has floated recently. This would help more efficiently monitor commercial and sport fishermen compliance with the regulations.Capt. Paul Pacholski addresses participants at Governor's Fish Ohio Day in August. (Contributed photo/John Hageman)