O.F.A.H. Applauds U.S. Cormorant Management Plans

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (O.F.A.H.) is hailing the release of a new report from the New York Department of Environmental Conservation, (N.Y.D.E.C.), which outlines an aggressive plan to address the negative impact of cormorants on valuable fish and wildlife populations.

“The U. S. report, which is based upon a landmark study by Cornell University and the N.Y.D.E.C., supports the position taken by the O.F.A.H. and more recently, the Ministry of Natural Resources, that the burgeoning cormorant population needs to be managed in a way that protects valuable habitat, water quality and fish and wildlife species”, said Mike Reader, O.F.A.H. Executive Director. “In both Canada and the U.S., cormorant populations in certain areas have increased to the point where they are impacting negatively on public resources, including fisheries, other migratory birds, plants and wildlife and destroying valuable habitat. The report concludes that cormorant management will have a positive effect on the local environment, a position advocated by the O.F.A.H.”

As part of the 2004 plan to manage cormorant populations in New York State, the Division of Fish, Wildlife and Marine Resources will undertake the oiling of eggs, the destruction of nests and a managed cull. This will occur on public lands, and in partnership with The Nature Conservancy on lands held by the Conservancy on Lake Champlain. The plan integrates a number of sound management techniques and will help to restore balance to areas overrun with cormorants.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Division of Fish, Wildlife and Marine Resources and the U.S. Department of Agriculture agree that an integrated cormorant management program that includes some lethal control measures is the most effective way to alleviate conflicts caused by cormorants, with the least potential impact on other areas. Monitoring and research will play a key role in the plan.

“The plan takes the appropriate action by not seeking to eliminate cormorants, but rather to control their numbers and restore balance to the system. The management effects of this plan are also reversible if, for any reason, management to control or reduce the cormorant population is perceived to have a negative environmental impact. The scientists conducting the program can restore the number of cormorants at specific sites simply by stopping the program,” noted Mr. Reader. “This report supports the recent announcement by the Ministry of Natural Resources to undertake a similar program in the Presqu’ile area, and the O.F.A.H. urges the Ministry to proceed immediately with the same proactive approach across the Province of Ontario.”