The environment, economy, recreation, tourism, and humans are all impacted by the introduction of aquatic invasive species.
Economic Impacts
In the United States, expenses associated with ecological damage and control of invasive species is estimated at $137 billion per year and increasing.
In Montana, some industries affected negatively by AIS include sport and commercial fishing, agriculture and raw water users – i.e. power companies and utilities. In the case of power companies and utilities, expenses from AIS are passed on to Montana consumers – in the form of higher water and electric bills.
In 2007, Montanans and visitors spent $343 million on fishing across the state. In the Upper Missouri River reservoirs alone, the money spent on fishing is estimated as $13.7 million dollars annually from 1989 to 2011. This could change drastically if invasive species take hold in these waters.
In the United States, congressional researchers estimated invasive mussels cost the power industry $3.1 billion in the 1993-1999 period, with its impact on industries, businesses, and communities over $5 billion (New York Sea Grant 1994a). In Canada, Ontario Hydro has reported zebra mussel impacts of $376,000 annually per generating station (New York Sea Grant 1994b).
A study has recently shown that the presence of dense, mat-like aquatic invasive plants decreases property values up to 16%.