This is a completely…

This is a completely irresponsible proposal. First, what evidence does the ministry have to indicate that a hunting season would help control cormorant populations? This is voluntary, so there is no guarantee that hunters would actually kill the right amount of birds needed to control the population. Conversely, what if hunters kill too many birds and cormorants become a species at risk again?

Second, is there a market for these birds? If there is no value and no human use for these birds (e.g. food, fabrication...), then why encourage hunting at all? A more responsible proposal would be for the ministry itself to conduct a population management program (e.g. cull) that would include extensive monitoring and research to demonstrate progress towards a population target. Otherwise, the ministry is making it okay to kill these birds because some people think they are a nuisance. This sets a dangerous precedent that is not consistent with Ontario's biodiversity strategy.