Comment
Although cormorants have been observed to have a high population recently I do not think that allowing the hunting of 50 a day is an appropriate response. This species was nearing extinction a while ago and is currently making a comeback. It is natural for these sort of species to grow exponentially, surpass its natural carrying capacity and then have its population collapse down to meet its carrying capacity. From what I have seen it looks like cormorants are already starting this dive in population which makes me worry about over hunting, especially with a limit of 50 a day. If there is to be hunting I suggest a much lower limit, something like 10 a day.
This species causes damage but also they play a role as a food for endangered species such as the bald eagle and also introduce phosphorus and nitrogen into an ecosystem through guano (limiting nutrients in ecosystems).
So, while the population needs to decrease there are elements that have not been accounted for which need to be looked at before hunting policy is put in place.
Submitted December 20, 2018 1:33 PM
Comment on
Proposal to establish a hunting season for double-crested cormorants in Ontario
ERO number
013-4124
Comment ID
15233
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