Using an economic model of recreational fishing to evaluate the benefits of sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) control on the St. Marys River

This paper describes efforts to estimate economic benefits of improved sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinas) suppression on the St. Marys River. By linking an economic model of recreational fishing in Michigan to fish populations in the Great Lakes, a method is illustrated for estimating economic benefits that accrue to recreational anglers when fish populations increase. Previous economic efforts to evaluate sea lamprey control have taken a basin-wide view to determine optimal steady-state control levels based on economic injury levels, or have focused on whether or not the entire sea lamprey treatment program is justified. While capable of being adapted to either of these types of evaluations, the method presented here was used to estimate benefits to Michigan anglers of several sea lamprey treatments options for the St. Marys River. When estimated benefits are compared to treatment costs, all treatment options examined are shown to have different, but positive, net present value. Thus, the results suggest that sea lamprey suppression efforts on the St. Marys River yield economic benefits that exceed costs, and this holds even though only part of the economic benefits have been measured.