Managing European cormorant‐fisheries conflicts: problems, practicalities and policy

Abstract

This article focuses on transboundary conflicts between great cormorants, Phalacrocorax carbo L., and European fisheries interests. Two races of this species commonly occur in Europe; the ‘Atlantic’ Phalacrocorax carbo carbo and the ‘Continental’ P. c. sinensis. This migratory fish‐eating bird has steadily expanded its European range and many consider this a nature conservation success. However, fishery representatives see the birds as harmful to their business and way of life, considering European Union (EU) legislation to be blocking the most intuitive and effective solution to the cormorant problem, namely co‐ordinated, pan‐European population reduction. This article argues that cormorant‐fisheries conflicts and their resolution and management cannot be characterised as, or reduced to, a simplistic ‘pan‐European’ vs ‘local’ argument. The nature of cormorant‐fisheries conflicts is explored, key issues of cormorant ecology examined, and consideration is given to how impacts on fisheries might be measured. Discussions then focus on whether current policy prevents balanced and constructive solutions or whether better use of available instruments at local‐national levels could actually be a vital step to a sustainable management solution.

Lake Use by Three Avian Piscivores and Humans: Implications for Angler Perception and Conservation

“…The opinion of anglers in our study is congruent with global perceptions based on the scale of management programs for fish-eating birds. Populations of several cormorant species are extensively managed (e.g., culling, suppression of reproduction, displacement) worldwide under the guise of fisheries protection [1,2,5], whereas pelicans and smaller diving birds like grebes are rarely managed or even assessed for this purpose [29][30][31][32]. The rationale generating angler opinions and subsequent ranking for pelicans and cormorants in Saskatchewan is not clear from our data.…”

“…In the first category, there is no better example of conflict than the extensive management of cormorants (Phalacrocorax spp.) across the northern hemisphere in an effort to protect freshwater fisheries [1,2]. Current management practices for cormorants include culling of adults, disruption of breeding, and exclusion of birds from potential foraging areas [3,4].…”

What does three years of hunting great cormorants, Phalacrocorax carbo , tell us? Shooting autumn-staging birds as a means of reducing numbers locally

“…There is much debate over the likely effectiveness (both practical and theoretical) of so‐called site‐specific versus pan‐European management actions taken against cormorants with the aim of reducing or eliminating the damage these birds cause to fisheries . At the root of much of this discussion are the issues of the scales at which management actions might be taken and the ultimate aims of such actions.…”

Recreational fisheries in the UK: natural capital, ecosystem services, threats, and management

“…Although not strictly an issue of species introduction, the movement of cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo) onto fresh waters with potential impacts on local fish populations has been appreciated for some time (e.g. Kirby et al [51]), but it remains a controversial management issue [52].…”

“…Similarly, managing the impacts of cormorants on local fish populations remains a significant challenge both in terms of understanding the underlying predator-prey dynamics and in terms of public acceptance of the deliberate culling of such and other piscivorous bird species [52]. Practical experience has shown that rigorous site-specific studies such as that described by Winfield et al [64] for cormorants predating a lacustrine whitefish population are extremely beneficial to the design, justification and implementation of effective control measures [65] with long-term benefits (Fig.…”