Are cormorants harmful?

What can I do to protect fisheries from cormorants?

There are a number of things you can do to protect fisheries from cormorants using non-lethal measures. Cormorants are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 which means it is only legal to use lethal measures of control if you have been granted a speciifc license from the government.

Do cormorants tear holes in netting around fish farm cages?

On the Scottish west coast, underwater anti-predator nets are commonly placed around fish farm cages to protect fish stocks from seals and fish-eating birds, including cormorants. There is no evidence that cormorants tear holes in the netting, nor that they take fish directly from farm cages.

Are cormorants bad for the environment?

Some studies have demonstrated that cormorants can have significant negative impacts on fish stocks and fisheries – resulting in reductions in fish abundance and biomass. However, other investigations have also indicated that the mere presence of cormorants at a site does not necessarily mean that a problem is occurring.

Do you need a licence to control cormorants?

As a group of fisheries, apply for a licence to control cormorants causing serious damage within a defined area or catchment. This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

What happens when Cormorant nesting damages trees?

When repeated cormorant nesting damages trees, the birds may move to a new area or they simply shift to nesting on the ground, where they may compete with herring gulls ( Larus argentatus) and other birds for nesting sites. ©Brian S. Dorr

Are cormorants protected by law?

It should be remembered that cormorants, like all wild birds, are protected under the European Wild Birds Directive 2009/147/EC. This prohibits the deliberate capture, killing and disturbance of birds, and the destruction of their nests or taking of their eggs.

Do cormorants tear holes in netting?

There is no evidence that cormorants tear holes in the netting, nor that they take fish directly from farm cages. To do this, such holes would need to be large enough to enable stock to escape.

How effective are netting and wires for removing cormorant predation?

Efficacy Nets and wires are readily available and can provide reliable, long-term, cost-effective options for removing or reducing cormorant predation at a site; their effectiveness depends on proper installation and maintenance.

How can we prevent cormorants in fish ponds?

At one fish-rearing site in the UK, parallel parachute cords stretched tautly across a pond at approximately 30 cm intervals completely prevented cormorant predation, but allowed ducks to fly onto the pond successfully. Overhead wires have been employed with some success to deter cormorants in a number of countries.

How can netting be used to protect fish?

Underwater netting Submerged netting enclosures can also be used to protect fish held in floating fish cages from diving predators, particularly cormorants. On the Scottish west coast, underwater anti-predator nets are commonly placed around fish farm cages to protect fish stocks from seals and fish-eating birds, including cormorants.

What are the new DEFRA licences for wild birds?

New Defra general licences for wild birds, GL34, GL35 and GL36 added. Added the general licence (GL26) for killing or taking carrion crows. Added ‘Wild birds: licence to control certain species’. Removed licences GL04, GL05 and GL06.

How can we limit the interaction between cormorants and fish?

Limiting the interaction between cormorants and fish can be achieved in a number of ways, each falling into one of four broad categories of action: 1. Scaring cormorants away from a fishery. 2. Protecting the fish — by preventing cormorants from reaching them. 3.

What has the Angling Trust done to help save the cormorants?

Working with the Avon Roach Project and other partners, the Angling Trust led a campaign to have cormorants added to the general shooting licence, along with jackdaws, magpies and pigeons, so that their numbers could be kept down to sustainable levels.

How often do cormorants die each year?

Strong, experienced parents appear are able to rear more young than less experienced younger birds, even in the same nesting colony. Q: About 40% of juveniles and about 12% of adult cormorants die each year.

Should cormorants be protected by law?

Moreover, the current legal protection afforded to cormorants make it possible for the birds to breed, roost and feed much closer to densely populated areas than they would have been allowed to in the past.

How do cormorants compete for nesting space with common terns?

Along with gulls, cormorants can out-compete common terns for favored nesting islands. Grid wires suspended above tern nesting colonies can enhance tern nesting success and productivity by discouraging larger birds from nesting. This method effectively reserves nesting space for common terns until they are able to establish and defend a colony.

How effective are cormorant barriers?

The efficacy of such structures varies according to the system chosen (particularly the spacing of the wires) and can be particularly effective where cormorants have access to other feeding areas in reasonably close proximity. Efficacy may also decrease over time as birds learn to avoid the wires.

How can we prevent predation by fish-eating birds?

Complete enclosure of a site with netting is undoubtedly the most effective option for preventing predation by fish-eating birds, Netting enclosures at fish farms. Photos courtesy of Bruno Broughton and Thomas Keller. [32] theintercafecormorant management toolbox including cormorants.

How do you protect fish from birds underwater?

This prevents birds from attacking these large concentrations of fish near the surface. Underwater netting Submerged netting enclosures can also be used to protect fish held in floating fish cages from diving predators, particularly cormorants.

How do you protect fish from cormorants?

Local measures that help to directly protect the fish by preventing cormorants from reaching them (e.g. using nets and overhead wires). Reducing fish availability to cormorants – fish stock management techniques.

How can we solve the cormorant-fishery conflict?

Reducing overall cormorant numbers 4.1.1— for example, by killing cormorants locally to reinforce scaring at specific sites, killing them more intensively, or reducing their reproductive efficiency. In addition, under some circumstances cormorant-fishery conflicts can be addressed through the use of financial or other compensation measures.

How do underwater nets prevent cormorants from reaching fish cages?

In order to prevent cormorants reaching the fish held in cages, underwater nets (commonly of 10 cm square mesh) are suspended below the cages, outside the net bag holding the fish. These nets protect all four sides and the bottom.

How do I protect my fish from predators in my pond?

Plant Cover: Water Lilies and other floating plants that cover the top of your pond will help hide your fish and may give them enough time to escape predators. 7. Pond Netting: This netting does work to deter predators but it can detract from the beauty of your pond.

What can you do with a wild bird licence?

Use this licence to catch alive or kill certain birds, or take, damage or destroy their nests, or take or destroy their eggs to preserve public health or safety. This licence has been revoked. Read Wild bird general licences: Defra and Natural England’s approach for details of replacement licences.

Can You Kill a bird for Health and safety?

Birds: licence to take or kill for health or safety purposes (GL05) Use this licence to catch alive or kill certain birds, or take, damage or destroy their nests, or take or destroy their eggs to preserve public health or safety. This licence has been revoked.