The
72-page plan’s main goal is to set a framework for a balanced management of cormorants,
i.e. preserving the population while reducing the conflicts with fishing and the
predation’s impacts on vulnerable fish stocks. It notably includes funding for further research on the cormorants’ impacts on marine and freshwater fish stocks. A Cormorant Working Group is set up and will hold two meetings a year to discuss various topics, including which cormorants’ colonies need to be regulated, the need for adjustments in the current regulatory options and other remedial measures.
The Danish Sport Fishermen Association has
expressed its disappointment at this rushed plan, which
lacks ambitious goals and concrete measures to secure fish stocks. It notes that the cormorants’ stock in Denmark – and in Europe – is at a historically high level with a favourable conservation status, which should have allowed for more concrete and ambitious measures. At the same time, many fish stocks, such as grayling, are at critically low levels because of the cormorants’ predation.
During the plan’s drafting phase, the Association and the Danish Salmon Fund
prepared a proposal for an
alternative plan, which shares the same overall goal as the government’s final plan, but
sets clear sub-goals for what is needed to ensure that both cormorants and fish have robust stocks. For example, it establishes
a set of indicators which could trigger the derogations foreseen under
Article 9 of the Birds Directive as regards “serious damage to fisheries and water” (
e.g. a set percentage of stock reductions for some freshwater and marine species).
The Association also believes that the
Danish State has a responsibility to act when the fish populations are endangered or well below favourable conservation status. Finally, this alternative plan would make it
easier for volunteers to contribute to the cormorants’ management, supported by the experts’ advice.
Torben Kaas, Chairman of the Association, said: “
The fight does not end here. We will push for the plan to be revisited as soon as possible.” He also pointed out that while the current plan will not be able to solve the extensive problems caused by cormorants,
its implementation will be crucial so that it can to some extent solve some of the problems.
Sign the Danish Sport Fishermen Association petition here.
Read the EAA position paper on cormorants here.