Ecological Risk Screening Summary - Zander (Sander lucioperca) - High Risk

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.

Sander lucioperca, Zander, is a fish native to eastern Europe and western Asia. S. lucioperca is a popular food source and recreational and commercial fishing target and has been utilized as a
top-down ecosystem engineer. The History of Invasiveness for Sander lucioperca is classified as High due to a long history of well-documented introductions leading to nonnative established
populations. Many introductions, including the one in the United States, were intentional to meet fishery management goals. Impacts from these introductions include altered fish assemblages due to competition with, and consumption, of native species, extirpation of endemic species, hybridization with native species, and disease/pest transmission. S. lucioperca is known to be a carrier or host of two World Organisation for Animal Health listed diseases: infection with Gyrodactylus spp and epizootic hematopoietic necrosis virus. In 2016, S. lucioperca was listed as an injurious wildlife species under the Lacey Act by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Additionally, it is regulated at the State level in nine U.S. States. The climate matching analysis for the contiguous United States indicates establishment concern for this species. Most of the northern half of the contiguous United States had medium-high matches, particularly in the northern Plains. Areas of low match were concentrated along the southern border and the Gulf region. The Certainty of Assessment for this ERSS is classified as High. The Overall Risk Assessment Category for Sander lucioperca in the contiguous United States is High.