Huron Hometown News

COLUMBUS, OH – Ohio Sea Grant’s first extension agent has been honored with the Ohio Lake Erie Commission’s 2009 Lake Erie Award. State University Sea Grant Extension Specialist Fred Snyder has been was hired as the organization’s first agent in October 1978, and served in that position until he retired on Aug. 31 of this year. The Lake Erie Award is presented annually to the most outstanding citizen devoting his or her life’s work to the environmental stewardship of Lake Erie. A similar award is also granted to an outstanding organization. “It's a tremendous honor to be singled out by the Commission for such a recognition,” Snyder said. “Standing before the agencies that make up the Lake Erie Commission, and looking at the attendees in the room – so many great friends and colleagues who played parts in many of the projects that became successful – the award is a reminder that to spend 31 years working on projects I loved with people who helped so selflessly has been a very rare privilege.”  In his 31 years as extension agent, Snyder helped Ohio Sea Grant become one of the top-ranked programs in the United States with initiatives that included establishment of the Ohio Charter Captain’s Conference, held now for 28 years. His work with charter fishing captains resulted in an increase in the industry from 34 licensed captains in 1975 to about 800 in 2009. He was inducted into the Ohio Charter Boat Hall of Fame in 1995.  Snyder’s work also helped establish Sea Grant as a trusted source of resources in the North Coast community. His Ohio Sea Grant Advisory Committee – the first at Ohio State University – helped establish Sea Grant’s State Legislature/Congressional Days on Lake Erie; and assisted in the negotiation of a communication system between the Camp Perry Firing Range and the public for access to key Western Basin fishing reefs.    “Fred is the epitome of what it means to be a Sea Grant agent,” says Dr. Jeff Reutter, director of Ohio Sea Grant and Stone Laboratory. “He has always put the needs of his clientele first. He solves problems and eases the tension when conflict is present. No one has created partnerships, empowered people, helped businesses, or taught students better than Fred. He is highly deserving of this prestigious award.” The Ohio State University’s Ohio Sea Grant program is part of NOAA Sea Grant, a network of 30 Sea Grant programs dedicated to the protection and sustainable use of marine and Great Lakes resources. For more information, visit .

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