| Impact ID | 9622 |
| Impact Type | Other Ecological Benefits |
| Study Type | Anecdotal |
| Study Location | N/A |
| Impact Description | As rainbow smelt preys heavily upon bloater, alewife, slimy sculpin, emerald shiner, burbot, and opossum shrimp, its diet is believed to affect prey population numbers and could effect total mortality of yearlings. Furthermore, commercially valuable native and non-native salmonids rely on several of these prey species. Die-offs of rainbow smelt as a result of Glugea hertwigi may increase prey fish populations, thus increasing feeding opportunities and improving the health and value of the salmonid fisheries. However, such effects have not been realized in the Great Lakes. |
| Reference | 43213 |
| Cost | |
| Location | Great Lakes, USA |