To whom it may concern, I…

To whom it may concern,

I am opposed to the proposed cormorant hunting season as a hunter, conservationist and bird enthusiast. I am a resident of Ontario.

First, the cormorant hunt is mistakenly being touted as a solution to improving fish stocks in the Great Lakes. This is not supported by scientific evidence.

"There continues to be concerns expressed by some groups (commercial fishing industry, property owners) and individuals that cormorants have been detrimental to fish populations".

This statement omits the regulating authorities MNRF, DFO, Conservation Authorities and others responsible for fisheries in Ontario. It seems that the very Ontario regulators do not believe that this hunt will actually do anything to improve fish stocks. Where is the evidence to support that this proposed change will improve fish stocks?

Second, allowing meat to spoil sets a bad precedent and is counter to the ethical guidelines surrounding hunting.

Thirdly, the Minister said that the cormorants must be disposed of properly which is to say that they cannot be left where they were found. If one cannot eat the meat, where would the cormorants be disposed? Into our already stretched landfill systems?

Fourthly, I have some concerns regarding safety. I am hunter and practice best safety precautions during the deer, turkey and waterfowl seasons. During those seasons, I wear orange to prevent any accidents from occurring. Hunters are fallible and there are a number of reports each year where hunters fail to be safe. In 2013, at least 6 hunters were mistakenly shot and unfortunately one hunter died of a gunshot wound in 2012. I acknowledge that these hunters were using rifles and not shotguns, however, this could easily happen with someone failing to practise gun safety. Having an open season for cormorants throughout the summer months where someone can shoot from a motorized watercraft is not safe, and may seriously endanger people. Also, this would also increase the burden on Conservation Authorities, as poachers (not hunters) can suggest that they are hunting cormorant with shotguns instead of more viable waterfowl.

Fifthly, it is perceived that the Ontario Government wishes to off-load some of the very successful cormorant reduction programs by MNRF onto hunters through this change in hunting regulation. Unfortunately, I believe that the amount of cormorants taken by non-commercial hunters will be negligible and if the Government is truly concerned about the cormorant population as it affects fish stocks then the control programs should be continued. However, given that cormorant populations were much higher before the 1950s and fish stocks were also higher, and with no supporting scientific evidence to the contrary, it appears that the fish stocks are not greatly affected by the cormorant population. Instead, the reduction in fish stocks may be the result of commercial over-fishing, eutrophication, invasive species (i.e. sea lampreys), climate change and other significant environmental changes wrought by anthropogenic activities.

Thank you,

Anonymous.