GIBRALTAR ISLAND, Ohio — From climate change to microplastics, western Lake Erie’s future continues to be scientifically uncertain, complex, and fascinating.

That was one of the themes of the annual Lake Erie Science and Outdoor Writers Conference hosted by Ohio Sea Grant and Ohio State University’s Stone Laboratory on its Gibraltar Island campus. The event was on Wednesday and Thursday.

For those two days, journalists from across the region got a hefty dose of lectures from scientists and public officials representing multiple disciplines, including human health, pollution, fishing, recreation, energy, and technology.

There was, of course, some talk about the 2025 algal bloom, as well.

But unlike past events, it didn’t dominate the discussions.

That’s partly because this year’s forec

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