Columbus, OH The second segment of the four-part documentary series Lake Erie: Beyond the Surface is scheduled to air Saturday, October 27 at 7:00pm. Produced by WKYC-TV3 in Cleveland, Ohio, part two of the documentary focuses on the economic impact of Lake Erie and includes interviews with Ohio Sea Grant and Stone Laboratory Director Dr. Jeff Reutter and Ohio Sea Grant Extension Tourism Director Melinda Huntley.
The first segment of the year-long series aired at the end of June to an audience of 250,000 viewers. Interviews from Dr. Jeff Reutter, Ohio Sea Grant and Stone Laboratory Director, OSU Sea Grant Extension Tourism Director and Coastal Ohio Director Melinda Huntley, OSU Emeritus and former Ohio Sea Grant and Stone Laboratory Director Dr. Charles Herdendorf, and Stone Lab faculty Chris Winslow provided an overview of the geophysical and commercial history of Lake Erie and recounted the story of the environmental science, rescue, and recovery of the lake.
Part two of Lake Erie: Beyond the Surface will focus on Lake Erie’s economic impact from shipping to tourism. The 30-minute documentary addresses the importance of balancing commerce with recreation and environmental issues. The segment summarizes the economic impact of Lake Erie’s shipping industry, which generates $6.5 billion a year, the commercial and sport fishing industry, an economic value of $670-680 million a year, and the rapidly-growing tourism business, an $8.7 billion industry.
The four-part series will continue throughout the next year, airing a new segment every quarter, with the next slated for January 2008. To view part one of the series or read interviews of the Ohio State and Stone Lab staff, go to www.wkyc.com/life/programming/shows/lake_erie/ .
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 about Ohio Sea Grant and Stone Lab, visit ohioseagrant.osu.edu.