The Government of Ontario…

The Government of Ontario proposed "hunt" of double-crested cormorants is wrong and would cause needless suffering. Designating the double-crested cormorants as a “game” species is wrong and could easily eradicate this ecologically beneficial native bird from most of the province.

It is also wrong to use anecdotes to justify this new policy. The concerns about too many cormorants, depleted fish stocks and environmental damage are simply complaints from a few. Please do not use unsubstantiated claims -- that were debunked long ago -- to justify the killing of these birds and their families.

Cormorants are not overabundant and studies have shown their numbers are relatively modest and are dropping in some areas. The entire North American double-crested cormorant population is estimated only about 125,000 birds in the lower Great Lakes.

Please do not approve ERO number 013-4124