Leigh, P., 1997.  Benefits and Costs of the Ruffe Control Program for the Great Lakes Fishery, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

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 scenario, projection of benefits 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.

Contact: Peter Leigh, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Habitat Conservation Office, Building 3, Room 12607, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910 or peter.leigh@noaa.gov
Keywords: Ruffe, Nonindigenous, Monitoring, Economic_Impacts
Product Type: Publications, Proceedings, Impact
User Type: General