Elodea Invasion Could Cost Alaska’s Salmon Industry Millions

Tue, 20 Sep 2022 21:19:47 +0000

A common aquarium plant illegally dumped into Alaskan waters that has adapted to cold weather could threaten wild salmon habitat and cost the commercial fishing industry hundreds of millions of dollars.

A recent study conducted by ISER, the Institute of Social and Economic Research, found that if not managed, the cost of the elodea invasion could cost the commercial sockeye fishing industry $159 million each year. They even say that there is a 5% chance that the costs could exceed $577 million annually.

Elodea is Alaska’s first invasive aquatic plant and has spread across the state in the past decade.

aquatic invasive species Alaska – Aquarius-Systems

Elodea Invasion Could Cost Alaska’s Salmon Industry Millions