I oppose this proposal and…

I oppose this proposal and the fact that our Ontario government would even consider targeting a species to the point of possible extinction. There is no scientific reason to go after this controversial and misunderstood species, beyond placating hunters and giving into their (importunate) demands.

Like it or not, the double-crested cormorants are part of our ecosystem and they do serve a purpose. Many argue that the presence of cormorants indicates a healthy fishery; quite the opposite of what the hunters and sportsman would like us to think!

They don't cause ecological damage any more than do trees by growing up where there was once a meadow, to the loss of all species dependent on that meadow. The loss of tree foliage, where it happens, helps create habitat for nesting species such as common terns, American white pelicans, Caspian terns and ring-billed gulls. Let us not forget that Cormorants play an important role that shouldn’t be overlooked; they feed on the invasive round goby, which has devastated fish populations by eating the eggs and the young.

What is being proposed is an effort to push the cormorant back down to endangered status, which is completely unacceptable and wholeheartedly irresponsible. The province should be ashamed for even considering this course of action!

#savethecormorants