Ecological Risk Screening Summary - Cherry Salmon (Oncorhynchus masou) - Uncertain Risk

Species that are considered uncertain risk need a more in-depth assessment beyond the Risk Summary to better define the species’ risk to U.S. environments.

Cherry Salmon (Oncorhynchus masou) is a fish native to China, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, and Russia. O. masou is a gamefish and is eaten in the native range. The history of invasiveness is data deficient. O. masou has been introduced in the United States, Canada, Germany, Chile, Nepal, and Thailand through experimental stocking for a potential new sportfish. Most introductions have failed and did not result in an established population, however there is a possibility of an established population in Chile. No information on impacts of introductions was found. All species in the family Salmonidae are listed as injurious species in the United States due to the risk of carrying certain pathogens, thus prohibiting their importation unless imported live with a health certification or are dead and eviscerated. The climate match for the contiguous United States is high. The majority of the upper Midwest and eastern United States had patches of high match and areas west of the Rocky Mountains mainly had low matches. The certainty of assessment is low due to some disagreement on the status of introduced populations and a lack of information on impacts of introductions. The overall risk assessment category for Oncorhynchus masou is uncertain.

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Uncertain Risk
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