Evidence suggests there is…

Evidence suggests there is not an overabundance of double crested cormorants in Ontario by historical standards.

http://www.bioone.org/doi/full/10.1675/1524-4695%282006%2929%5B9%3AHPOT…

If the real concern is a lack of fish population in Ontario lakes for commercial and sport fishing, there are other causes which should likely be examined and corrected before starting a cull of cormorants.

1) impact of industrial agriculture on the lakes, particularly as they increase phosphorus and nitrogen levels in the water (deleterious to many fish species), creating algal blooms, reducing other aquatic weeds beneficial to fish as light in the water and oxygen are reduced, and methane is produced in the water when the algal blooms sink and decompose.

2) impact of plastic and other pollution in Ontario lakes

3) impact of climate change on Ontario lakes as average water temperatures rise, and heavier rainfalls change temperature more dramatically at lake inflow areas

4) impact of invasive species on commercial and sport fishing populations

5) impact of hydrocarbon pollution on the lakes and species in it

Having done some research on the above subjects, I know these are affecting water quality and environmental conditions, which in turn affect the aquatic plants and fish living in the lakes.

Before declaring open season on cormorants, let's try fixing these and other things which are likely doing much more damage to Ontario wild fish populations than the cormorants.

Finally, having encountered hunters on my rural properties and the damage they have done on those properties over the years, the idea of letting them loose on waterways from spring to fall with guns and ammo likely means I will reduce my boating time dramatically.