The timing of this proposed…

The timing of this proposed hunt seems to be a problem. Cormorants do not nest on their own but rather with other colony nesting species - for instance Great Egret, Great Blue Heron, Black-crowned Nightheron, White Pelican, Common Tern. Allowing a hunt during breeding season will cause major disruption to these species and others as well. Some undoubtedly would be collateral damage due to poor aim or misidentification, but also breeding success would be at severe risk with shooting going on all around.

Also, "the ministry will implement a monitoring programme" - surely any monitoring programme needs to begin BEFORE any hunt to truly assess impact - how can you assess without a baseline?

The proposal to not have to dispose of the corpses would also seem to be a problem - imagine 10 hunters shooting 50 birds/day each at one colony. The rotting flesh would be considerable.

I disagree that cormorants are having any major impact on fishing or other interests, but if a hunt is going to be done, at least restrict it to September on to ensure that other species have successfully nested and left the nesting area - though even in September egrets and herons tend to return to their nesting roosts.