Fish-eating birds
Cormorant/fishery conflicts
There have been large increases in cormorant populations across
Europe in recent decades, and this has given rise to growing levels
of concern among fishery and aquaculture interests, and has
highlighted the need for effective management tools to address
these conflict issues. In the UK, cormorants mainly target
fisheries at inland freshwater sites over the winter months when
cormorant numbers are highest. Of course, predation by cormorants
is just one of a wide range of factors that can affect fish
populations, and the presence of cormorants at a site does not
necessarily indicate that there is a problem. However, research has
demonstrated that these birds can have potentially serious economic
implications at some sites by damaging stocks of fish and by
reducing catches. Under such circumstances, management action may
be needed. Such action should balance the need to safeguard fish
stocks and fisheries with the conservation of the birds, although
striking such a balance may not always be easy.
A range of potential management options exists, but one
particular technique, the use of fish refuges, has been the subject
of Cefas research over recent years. This has clearly demonstrated
that simple artificial shelters can protect fish from cormorant
predation. A number of advisory leaflets have been prepared
summarising the cormorant 'problem' and outlining various options
that fishery owners and managers can employ to reduce the impact of
cormorant predation. Details are available at the following
website: