The introduction to this…

The introduction to this proposal states that Double Crested Cormorant (DCCO) numbers are stable or slightly declining based on current information. In addition, the proposed rules for the "hunt" make it clear that what is intended is a cull by citizen hunters, thus the bag limit of 50/day and no requirement to retrieve dead or wounded birds or to make use of the meat. It tarnishes the reputation of the OMNRF to present this proposed cull as a "hunt".

In addition, this "hunt" puts other species of colonial nesting birds such as Black Crowned Night Herons, Ring Billed Gulls, Herring Gulls, Common Terns, Great Blue Herons, Caspian Terns, American Egrets and White Pelicans at risk because they nest near or within DCCO colonies and will have their breeding disturbed by the Cormorant "hunt" and some other species may become casualties of inaccurate marksmen.

Furthermore, the role of DCCOs in keeping non-native fish such as the Round Goby in check does not appear to have been considered.

I doubt that DCCOs are responsible for any significant damage to game and commercial fish populations when compared to other factors such as environmental contaminants and competition from non-native introduced species.

I believe it to be very reckless policy to allow this "hunt" without studies to show harm caused by the current numbers of DCCO. Plus, it is a reckless policy to allow hunting of DCCOs during the spring/summer breeding season.

I urge OMNRF to rethink this reckless "hunt" proposal.