Overview of the International Symposium on Eurasian Ruffe ( Gymnocephalus cernuus) Biology, Impacts, and Control

Issues discussed at the recent International Symposium on Eurasian Ruffe (Gymnocephalus cernuus), an aggressive species of fish native to Europe and Asia that has been introduced into various waterways in North America, are reviewed. Participants in the symposium sought to evaluate the potential threats ruffe pose to fisheries located in North America and to evaluate potential control options. Information concerning the biology, reproduction, and physiology of the Eurasian ruffe is summarized. The current distribution and impacts of ruffe on native fish populations and other elements of native aquatic ecology in North America are also discussed. The economic impacts of the ruffe introductions and the costs of diverse control options are analyzed.