How does a Fish Biologist Improve Fishing and Aquatic resources

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Speaker: Curtis Wagner, Ohio Division of Wildlife

Location:
Shady Hollow Lodge, Sand Run Metro Park at 7pm
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(Because this is an indoor event, we respectfully request that all attendees wear face masks.)

​Topic:​
The ODNR Division of Wildlife’s mission is to conserve and improve fish and wildlife resources and their habitats for sustainable use and appreciation by all.  To this end, the Division of Wildlife’s fisheries management section works to carry out this mission for aquatic wildlife.  Nationally, state-level aquatic conservation and fisheries management work is funded through state fishing license sales combined with the Sport Fish Restoration Program (Dingell-Johnson Act of 1950).  Anglers pay a federal excise tax on fishing equipment that then gets apportioned to state wildlife agencies via the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.  Consequently, much of the fisheries and aquatic conservation work that the Ohio Division of Wildlife conducts is focused on species that are angled and their associated habitats.  Additional smaller funding sources exist for non-game conservation pertaining to rare or threatened aquatic organisms and the prevention of aquatic invasive species.  The Division of Wildlife’s fisheries management section engages in these activities.  Tonight, I’ll provide an overview of the Division of Wildlife’s mission and funding mechanics, the organization of and activities that fisheries management staff engage in and take attendees on a photo tour of fisheries management and aquatic conservation activities across a typical calendar year.  Time will be allocated for open questions and discussion and some example fish sampling gear will be brought for display.  

Biography:
Curt became interested in the fisheries field by working summer seasonal positions for both a private pond management company in southcentral Pennsylvania and then for the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission while completing his B.S. in Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences at Penn State University.  Upon completion of his undergraduate work, Curt relocated to Illinois where he completed his M.S. in Fisheries Management and Ecology at the University of Illinois.  In 2008, Curt joined the Division of Wildlife as a Fisheries Biologist in District Three (northeast Ohio) and was in that position for about 10 years before promoting to the Fisheries Management Supervisor in District Three, coordinating fisheries management activities in northeast Ohio.