"One of the strangest things…

"One of the strangest things about the double-crested cormorant is its apparent ability to generate irrational hatred in humans."
—Barry Kent Mackay

I am introducing my thoughts here with a quote by Ontario naturalist + artist Barry Kent Mackay
because with all the reading I have done on this issue nothing sums this situation up more honestly. This bird has a sad history of persecution.

It is with self awareness & openness I am approaching this conversation with two viewpoints but both being aligned AGAINST* cormorant "population control hunting"/ culling.
From an ecological/species/ habitat conservation/ natural resource perspective ( I am not a scientist but I am a passionate advocate for the environment & educate myself to be aware & impactful as best I can for a world with nature/ wildlife/ other then us**** in it ) & an ethical compassionate perspective as an animal lover ( I believe every animal has a right to life/ be treated humanely/ I volunteer with wildlife rescue & rehabilitation efforts ).

From an ecological perspective what is clear is this is an issue arising due to the fragmenting of ecosystems ( our fault ) due to our uncontrolled growing population & relentless development— & let's be honest, if we're talking about "healthy" fish population the cormorant is a fish-eating scapegoat, we are the irresponsible over-fishing top predator. What should also be pointed out is a scientific fact about their core diet: they eat round gobies/ invasive species which are detrimental to the biodiversity of fish in the great lakes....fish people actually want to eat.

From the ethical/ animal lover perspective; truly.....is population control/ culling the cormorant an evolved approach to an issue that is clearly cyclical & cruel? — unless we address how* we* are effecting ecosystems & their balance—unless we look at the root issue which is our impact......we are just*** killing. Honestly isn't all of this to appease the visceral entertainment/hunting needs of a few?
There is consistent scientific speculation that we should even be dabbling in population control when we are so unaware of indirect causes. Often populations rebound to pre-cull levels....

As a wildlife rehabber I know first hand that few are are truly capable of altruism. This is after all in actuality a one-sided conversation; humans/our self interest vs the cormorant/no voice.
This applies to all human—animal conflict. I hope we can evolve to consciously sharing* the world with other animals, not ruling them like selfish toddlers. I hope that we can acknowledge & embrace the fact we don't know how to manage situations like this & apply more resources to science/ data collection/ evolving our response in a way that isn't mere barbaric practice which this approach is.

As a Canadian that adores the nature/ wildlife that makes our country beautiful, I hope we start treating it all with more compassion & respect— the cormorant included.