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.
Thinlip grey mullet (Chelon ramada) is a fish native throughout the Eastern Atlantic from Norway to Cape Verde and into the Mediterranean and Black Seas. C. ramada is used for human consumption as a gamefish, in commercial fisheries, and in aquaculture. It has been introduced into Israel for aquaculture, where it has become established, but no negative impacts have been reported. There have been other introductions, including to Baltimore, Maryland, but establishment has not been confirmed other than in Israel. The introduction to Maryland occurred through ballast water. C. ramada does not appear to be in trade in the United States. This species is a host to numerous diseases and parasites. The climate match with the contiguous United States for the freshwater and brackish portions of its lifecycle is high overall. There were areas of high match throughout the west especially in coastal states, as well as in the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. More states recorded a high match than a low or medium match. Due to lack of information about impacts from introductions, and not being able to prepare a climate match for the marine portion of C. ramada’s life cycle, the overall risk for this species is uncertain.
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Uncertain Risk
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