Perceived ecological threats and economic benefits of non-native black bass in the United States

Fisheries Magazine
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Abstract

Black bass Micropterus spp. are highly sought-after sport fish and, where introduced, are emblematic of the tradeoffs between ensuring productive fisheries and conserving native biodiversity. To disentangle these potentially conflicting interests, we administered a survey of fisheries biologists in the United States to assess perceptions regarding ecological and economic impacts of non-native black bass between anthropogenic and natural habitats. Our results indicate that non-native black bass are generally considered economically beneficial in both habitat types. Contrastingly, these species were perceived to have significantly more negative ecological impacts in natural than anthropogenic habitats. Our findings suggest that habitat may be an important factor to partition the conflicting ecological–economic dynamic of non-native black bass. Implications of this study suggest that challenges remain for managers attempting to balance the paradoxical nature of these species as both desired sport fishes and as potentially harmful invaders when found outside their native range.

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Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Perceived ecological threats and economic benefits of non-native black bass in the United States
Series title Fisheries Magazine
DOI 10.1002/fsh.10520
Volume 46
Issue 2
Year Published 2020
Language English
Publisher American Fisheries Society
Contributing office(s) Coop Res Unit Atlanta
Description 10 p.
First page 56
Last page 65
Country United States
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