I would like to express my…

I would like to express my deep concern about the proposal to establish a hunting season for double-crested cormorants in Ontario. I am specifically concerned about:
1. The safety danger the hunters will pose to families pursuing recreational pursuits such as walking to enjoy natural areas near water bodies and boating or fishing on our waterways.
2. The impact on other wildlife species. All species exist in an inter-related ecosystem and there may well be serious and long-term side effects that will be a surprise to those proposing the hunting. As a bird watcher I am particularly concerned about the collateral damage to other bird species that nest with cormorant colonies such as gulls, terns, herons, egrets and pelicans. There is also the risk that uneducated hunters will confuse other species such as loons in the water with cormorants and kill them too.
3. I am concerned that many dead carcasses will be left in place to rot or will be collected and then dumped in natural areas or weighted down to sink into lakes. These will attract and increase the numbers of vermin, insects, and scavengers with unknown effects. There is also the risk of increasing the spread of diseases to other wildlife and to humans who are out enjoying nature. The stench of rotting meat will probably be much worse that the guano smell that some complain about now.

While I am not opposed to hunting for sustenance purposes, I am opposed to this specific proposal to amend the hunting regulations.

I urge you to base any proposed regulations on science not just on concerns from some members of the public. Where studies show that a reduction in cormorant numbers is warranted in specific local areas then there should first be consideration given to many other techniques that have proven effective in similar situations such as egg oiling or human disturbance in nesting areas that do not have the same dangerous side effects. Specific targeted culling by professionals using firearms should only be allowed by special permit where these other measures prove ineffective.

Thank you for your consideration in this urgent matter,

A concerned taxpayer.