PROPOSED ONTARIO CORMORANT…

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PROPOSED ONTARIO CORMORANT CULL

THE REAL REASON OR THE PROPOSAL:-
Aesthetics- colonies “look bad”

ARE YOU SURE THIS IS THE ANSWER?
Only 3% of U.S great lakes islands have been occupied by Cormorants over last 30 years
Depletion of fish stocks anecdotal and is not an excuse; not proven by scientific studies
What if Cormorant dispersal caused by random cull results in creation of many new colonies and makes the “problem” worse- be careful what you wish for.
Gun safety and noise on inhabited inland lakes and areas with boating activity- even with shotguns being used.
Shooting and recovery of carcasses in nest area during nesting season would disturb other colonial nesting birds (Great Egrets, Black-crowned Night Herons, Great Blue Herons, Common Terns, Caspian Terns, Herring Gulls, Ring-billed Gulls).
How would a “hunter” actually dispose of bodies- dig holes? Throw them into the forest? Can you imagine burying that many? Compost them through existing municipal composting programs?- would love to hear municipalities’ reaction to the numbers you are talking about.

SUGGESTION:
Should smaller lakes be managed differently than very large lakes because of large differences in colony sizes?

THOUGHT:
This program is a ready made wedge issue with the 2019 federal election coming up.