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Study finds Great Lakes invaders wreak $200 million damages per year

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on July 17, 2008 at 6:49 am

From Reuters News:

Invasive species that have hitched rides into the Great Lakes since they were connected to the sea nearly 50 years ago are causing $200 million a year in damages, according to a study published on Wednesday.

The figure is conservative and does not include damage done to the Canadian economy or other parts of the United States where some of the invaders have traveled by water, said the report from the Center for Aquatic Conservation at the University of Notre Dame in Indiana.

Since the St. Lawrence Seaway opened in 1959, 57 species have been carried in via oceangoing vessels, usually in ballast water, the report said.

But if the parade of organisms, which includes the zebra mussel and round goby, stopped tomorrow, the costs “would unfortunately continue” because the damage estimates are based on what has already happened, said David Lodge, an ecologist who directs the Notre Dame center.

The report said that as of 2006 the losses to sport and commercial fishing and tourism and impacts on water treatment and supplies was at least $200 million per year. Lodge said the study did not go beyond 2006 but it could be assumed the costs were continuing.

“Considering that new invasive species are being discovered every year, and species already present are spreading, it is likely that the losses experienced in 2006 will increase in following years,” the study said.

Water use facilities suffered $27 million in damages, but the biggest losses occurred from the loss in recreational fishing. Read more from Reuter’s News by clicking here.

July 17, 2008 · Filed Under Invasive Species

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