Leigh, P., 1998. Benefits and Costs of the Ruffe Control Program for the Great Lakes Fishery, NOAA.

Reprinted from Journal of Great Lakes Research (1998) 24 (1998) 24(2): 351-360

 Benefits and Costs of the Ruffe Control Program for the Great Lakes Fishery

Abstract
Although data on Great Lake fish stocks and values are uncertain estimates, reasonable approximations can be made concerning economic losses for the United States from various types of management practices. Based on biometric changes that are projected to occur, it appears that early control of a non-indigenous fish species, specifically ruffe (Gymnocephalus cernuus), can result in significant investment returns. By instituting a ruffe control program, benefits to the public will exceed costs by 44 to 1 over the next five decades. Under a moderate case projection of benefits this will yield an estimated net public savings of $513 million for the United States. Since sportfishing values are much greater than commercial fishing values, anglers will benefit the most from this program.

Entire Paper
Contact: Peter Leigh, NOAA, Habitat Conservation Office, Bldg 3, Room 12607, 1315 E W Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910
Keywords: Ruffe, Policy, Prevention, Economic_Impacts
Product Type: Report, Publication, Impact
User Type: General