O.F.A.H. applauds introduction of cormorant management legislation

OFAH FILE: 842
November 1, 2006

For Immediate Release

O.F.A.H. applauds introduction of cormorant management legislation

The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (O.F.A.H.) strongly supports the introduction of Bill 156, An Act to Amend the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1997, by Ernie Parsons, M.P.P. for Prince-Edward Hastings.

For years, the O.F.A.H. has been pressuring a succession of provincial governments to address the growing threat to fish stocks, and the environment, posed by the dramatic increase in the cormorant population in the Great Lakes Basin.

“Collectively, it is estimated that the 450,000 to 500,000 cormorants in the Great Lakes Basin consume 42 million pounds of fish each year, which has caused a serious erosion of fish stocks in some areas. The best available science shows that the waste produced by these birds also destroys habitat in areas where they nest which affect other species, degrades water quality, pollutes shorelines and has reduced some islands in Lake Ontario and the Manitoulin area to burnt out shells,” said Mike Reader, O.F.A.H. Executive Director.

“The introduction of Bill 156 by Mr. Parsons is a significant step forward in terms of dealing with a growing threat to fish populations and the environment in many areas of the province. Given that he represents an area that has been badly affected by the increasing cormorant population, his actions will help to address a serious environmental threat both in his own riding and across Ontario, and he should be commended for his actions,” added Reader.

With over 80,000 members and 640 member clubs, the O.F.A.H. remains Ontario’s leading organization in the push for effective cormorant management programs.

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