Cormorant Management Coming?

The damaging impact of fish-eating cormorants on recreational fishing is now being looked at by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and possible measures to control cormorant populations could be allowed in the future. The USFWS is asking for public comment now through March 15, 2020.

An extensive 2017 study on the impacts of cormorants on commercial fish farmers resulted in allowing individual depredation permits in 37 eastern and central states.

“This review did not include potential damage to recreational and commercial fishing by cormorants. Since the publication of the EA, the USFWS engaged stakeholders to assess the biological, social and economic significance of wild fish—cormorant interactions, and to identify a suite of management alternatives,” said a USFWS release. “The Department of the Interior’s U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is announcing an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPR) and soliciting public input on future management options for cormorants.”

Cormorants often flock to a farm pond, and in a few days can have a major impact on the fish population before moving on to the next lake. They also impact major reservoirs.

Cormorants often flock to a farm pond and in a few days can have a major impact on the fish population before moving on to the next lake. They also impact major reservoirs.

Lake Weiss guide Mark Collins has seen the impacts of cormorants on the Coosa River impoundment first-hand.

“These birds feed exclusively on fish, mainly baitfish, but they are opportunity feeders and will eat whatever they can catch. As the cormorant population increases, they will be a direct threat to our game fish and baitfish populations,” Mark said. “They have also been connected to parasites in game fish. They also put a lot of E. coli in the water system. This comes from all the poop in the water.

“They are also causing erosion problems, anywhere they roost. Their poop is so toxic it kills all the vegetation that could stop erosion. We have lost one island here on Weiss from this, and there are two more that will be gone in the near future. They like to roost on islands.”

Cormorants congregate in the Lake Oconee area in big numbers. Guide Doug Nelms said the flocks are so big at times that it’s dangerous to run a boat at half speed because they don’t get out to the way.

U.S. Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt said, “Balancing the protection of native wildlife with economic and human health needs is fundamental to effective management practices. Today’s action starts the process of improving management and further reduces conflicts with double-crested cormorants throughout the United States.”

“We are building long-term solutions for managing conflicts with double-crested cormorants under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act while maintaining healthy populations of this species,” said Aurelia Skipwith, Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. “This effort, in collaboration with our partners, will ensure continued good stewardship of our natural resources.”

Former USFWS Director Dale Hall said, “The strong return of double crested cormorants is a significant conservation success. But in the absence of natural predators, cormorants are inflicting substantial depredation on both private and public aquatic resources. This effort by the Fish and Wildlife Service is necessary and appropriate to maintain a healthy ecosystem.”

U.S. Sen. John Boozman, of Arkansas, said, “With nearly 30,000 water surface acres across Arkansas used for aquaculture production, our fish farmers contributed $71.1 million to our state’s economy in 2017. However, the United States Department of Agriculture estimates double-crested cormorants cause more than $25 million in damage annually within the aquaculture industry. These birds have become the foremost antagonists of fish farmers. We need commonsense solutions that allow aquaculture producers to safeguard their fish from these predators. I applaud the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for responding to the need of aquaculture producers by increasing the amount of maximum allowable take of double-crested cormorants, and I look forward to working with the Department of Interior and USFWS to ensure we can find commonsense solutions to ease the burden for hard working Arkansan aquaculture producers.”

U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman, of Arkansas, said, “Science has consistently proven that managing cormorants is necessary to protect not just aquaculture but fishing as well. I applaud the administration for listening to input, increasing the take and promoting sound scientific practices.”

Public comment for the rule-making process began Jan. 22, 2020 and will continue for 45 days until March 9, 2020. The USFWS will take into consideration all comments and any additional information received on or before that date.

Comments opposed to cormorant management are already being submitted by animal-rights activists, including this one: “THIS IS JUST DEMOGOGUREY (sic), MALICIOUS, INSANE KILLING OF BIRDS BY A FEDERAL AGENCY USING YOUR GENERAL TAX DOLLARS TO DO THE MOST MALICIOUS, EVIL KILLING SYSTEM IN THE WORLD TO DO THE DIRTY WORK OF THE FISHERMEN. WILDLIFE IS FAST VANISHING FROM THIS EARTH BECAUSE OF NASTY DISGUSTING PROPOSALS LIKE THIS. THIS PROPOSAL SUCKS. IT SHOWS THE WORST OF AMERICA. SHUT IT DOWN TIGHT AND SAY NO MORE KILILNG (sic) OF WILDLIE (sic) OR CORMORANTS.”

You may submit written comments by one of the following methods. Please do not submit comments by both. USFWS does not accept email or faxes.

Electronically: Click here to comment. You will see a blue Comment Now! button in the center of the webpage. The Fish and Wildlife service will post all comments on http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide (don’t include personal information if you don’t want it published the website).

By hard copy: Submit by U.S. mail or hand-delivery to Public Comments Processing, Attn: FWS–HQ–MB–2019–0103; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Headquarters, MS: JAO/1N, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041–3803.

The USFWS will hold public scoping meetings in the form of multiple webinars next month in February, 2020.

More information about the rulemaking process, cormorants and meetings, including how to register, will be posted online at www.fws.gov/birds/management/managed-species/double-crested-cormorants.php.