Socio-economic impact of the presence of Asian carp in the Great Lakes Basin / : Répercussions socio-économiques de la présence de la carpe asiatique dans le bassin des Grands Lacs

In order to estimate the economic values of identified activities, the study arrived at best estimates of the expenditures made and of the consumer surplus generated by the activities in Canada. [...] In selecting the scenario for the impact assessment, the study followed DFO (2012) and assumed that in the absence of additional preventive measures, Asian carp will arrive, establish populations, survive, and spread throughout the Great Lakes, due to the availability of suitable food, thermal and spawning habitats, and the high productivity of embayments in the Great Lakes basin. [...] The study examined the risks presented by Asian carp to these values and found that the establishment of Asian carp in the Great Lakes would cause moderate to high damage to commercial fishing, recreational fishing, recreational boating, wildlife viewing, and the beaches and lakefront use sectors/activities during the periods covered, with the exception of the 20 year period for Lake Superior, whe [...] The outcomes of this study will support the AIS objectives under DFO’s “Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture” strategic outcomes.12 Objectives of the Study The goal of this study is to provide a detailed socio-economic analysis of the economic impact to Canada of the establishment of Asian carp in the Great Lakes. [...] The specific objectives of the study are to: (i) provide estimates of the economic value generated by the Great Lakes for Canada; and (ii) examine the economic impact/cost of the presence of Asian Carp in the Great Lakes for Canada.