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Invasive species cost the United
States hundreds of millions to billions of dollars each year. One
estimate of
the damages for both
terrestrial and aquatic invaders is $137 billion per year (14).
Invasive species affect many sectors of the economy, impacting production,
trade, food security and nutrition, and human health (15). Losses
may occur due to disease, such as toxic algal blooms. These blooms
can arise in the Great Lakes when invasive species filter-feeders selectively
remove the bloom-causing plankton’s predators. This can force
shellfish fisheries to close as the accumulated toxins in the filter
feeding shellfish
make consumption dangerous. These closures cost the industry millions
of dollars in lost profits. Additionally, fisheries may experience
economic losses as introduced species out-compete the fishery species.
The Great
Lakes commercial and recreational fisheries are valued at $7 billion
annually,
and invasive species pose a substantial threat to this industry (1).
The bulk of the costs associated with invasive species come from control and cleanup efforts. The zebra mussel, for example, accumulates in dense colonies on hard surfaces. They block water-intake pipes and screens of water treatment facilities, industrial facilities, and power plants (16). The cost of the removal from hard structures ranges from $70 million per year (17) to over $5 billion (18). There are also additional social and recreational costs that are difficult to quantify, but increase the total economic costs of invasive species.
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Zebra mussels clog water-intake screen |
Zebra mussel fouling ship gear |
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