(Toledo News Now) - Ohio business owners are voicing concerns over what the algae bloom means to the economy in a state that relies on the business Lake Erie provides in eight different counties.
Paul Pacholski, President of Lake Erie Charter Boat Association said, "If people perceive that the water is not safe to drink are you going to want to go there to have a convention, or to go fishing, or to anything else? Chances are, not. You know, perception is half the issue."
District Marinas and businesses that benefit from boaters are also concerned.
Vernon Meinke, owner of South Shore Towing said, "Not as many people were going out on their boat and we weren't selling gas. And, if people weren't going out, they weren't breaking down. So, that's how it affects the towing business."
At Szuch's Bait Shop, Richard Ferguson responds to phone calls coming in regarding the state of Lake Erie and the fish.
"All of the bad news last year. People call and say 'Well, how is the lake?' 'Are the fish rotten?' 'Can we do anything?' 'Can we come down there?'… Sure, come on and fish," he said.
Sport-fishing is just one example of the many businesses that will suffer losses if people are no longer interested in Lake Erie. As a 1.8-billion-dollar-industry in Ohio, it accounts for 10,000-full-time-jobs.
"I'm not the only one that loses," Ferguson said. "All other businesses – restaurants, motels, and any other operators of businesses – they are all losing because the people won't come."
