Benefits and Costs of Sea Lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) Control in the Great Lakes: Some Preliminary Results

While economic studies of the Great Lakes fisheries are still in their infancy, evidence is accumulating which suggests that efforts to rehabilitate the salmonid fisheries of the Great Lakes, including sea lamprey control, are paying rich dividends; benefits may exceed costs by half a billion dollars each year. Sportfishing values are much greater than commercial fishing values, so anglers benefit most from sea lamprey control. Expanding rehabilitation efforts in ways that will enhance angler success may also be economically sound. PCB levels in Great Lakes salmonids may be lowering the value of angling; 30% of anglers surveyed report eating less of their catch as a result of warnings. However, 93% oppose discontinuing stocking because of the PCB problem. The effects of possible energy shortages are difficult to predict, and may not necessarily reduce Great Lakes fisheries values.Key words: sea lamprey, benefit–cost analysis, fishery economics, recreation economics