FAIRVIEW, Pa. (September 3) – Today, Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) Executive Director Tim Schaeffer, staff, and local partners celebrated the opening of a new facility which will house the Lake Erie Research Unit based in Fairview, Erie County.
The 2,800 square-foot building, located on the grounds of the Fairview State Fish Hatchery contains a research laboratory, library, conference room, and modern office space for three full-time biologists, seasonal biologist aides, and a Waterways Conservation Officer.
“This state-of-the-art facility is an incredible asset to the Lake Erie Research Unit, and we feel fortunate to have this space to work in and help us achieve our mission at an even higher level,” said Mark Haffley, Biologist and Port Captain for the PFBC’s Lake Erie Research Unit. “Thank you to the anglers who continue to support us and provide us with the tools we need to do our jobs on their behalf. As we settle into our new space, we’ll continue to work with our local partners and stakeholders to ensure that there will be quality fishing on Lake Erie for years to come.”
The $2.4 million-dollar facility funded through the PFBC’s Fish Fund, replaces temporary leased office space that has been used by staff since 2020 when the Unit was relocated from the Thornton House, an 1870’s-era historical residential home located on the hatchery grounds. While a ceremonial ribbon-cutting and dedication was held today on the new building, minor finishing work will continue to be completed by contractors over the next few weeks.
Staff who comprise the Lake Erie Research Unit play a key role in fisheries management for Pennsylvania’s portion of Lake Erie, and collaborate with neighboring Michigan, New York, Ohio, and Ontario (Canada) to monitor fish health and determine annual harvest quotas for popular species within the lake, including Walleye and Yellow Perch.