Ecological Risk Screening Summary - White Perch (Morone americana) - High Risk

Species that are considered high risk have a well-documented history of invasiveness in at least one location globally and are of establishment concern for the contiguous United States based on a climate matching analysis.

Morone americana, white perch, is a fish that is native to the Atlantic coast of the United States and Canada. M. americana inhabits fresh, brackish, and coastal waters. This species is a highly opportunistic forager and consumes a large quantity of fish eggs, macroinvertebrates, crustaceans, and fish. Morone americana is regulated in eight U.S. States. The History of Invasiveness for M. americana is classified as High. They have become established across the eastern and central United States due to intentional stocking and fish movement through man-made hydrological connections. In some cases, introductions have been associated with substantial declines in native species. Additional potential impacts include contribution to cyanobacteria blooms and dilution of the gene pool of Morone chrysops via hybridization with M. americana. The climate matching analysis for the contiguous United States indicates establishment concern for this species outside its native range. The eastern and central United States have the highest climate matches for M. americana, while the lowest match is along the Pacific Coast. The Certainty of Assessment for this ERSS is classified as High due to ample documentation of M. americana biology, distribution, and history of invasiveness. The Overall Risk Assessment Category for M. americana in the contiguous United States is High.