Species that are considered high risk have a well-documented history of invasiveness in at least one location globally, and a high or medium climate match to the contiguous United States.
Walleye (Sander vitreus) is a large predatory fish native to the Arctic, Great Lakes, and Mississippi River basins in North America. It is a highly prized recreational species which has resulted in intentional non-native introductions in the United States. There is some aquaculture of this species and it is susceptible to viral haemorrhagic septicaemia virus and can be a carrier for Ranavirus sp., both of which are OIE-reportable diseases. The history of invasiveness is high. There is a long history of intentional (legal and illegal) introductions, contamination of other intentional introductions, and spread from initial introduction areas outside of the native range in North America. In the western United States, S. vitreus has had a negative impact on native fish and crayfish species, some of which are under recovery plans. The overall climate match is high, both in its native range in the Great Lakes and Mississippi Rivers, and in areas outside its native range. There were very few areas in the contiguous United States that did not have a high climate match. The certainty of assessment is high. The overall risk assessment category is high.
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High Risk
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