I am appalled with this…

I am appalled with this proposal for numerous reasons:

1. The season is too long. Cormorants are colonial nesters and in numerous sites, they nest with other species such as Great Blue Herons and Caspian Terns. Any disturbance at nesting season will have determential impacts on other avian species.
2. It is non-enforceable. If people do not collect the dead cormorants, they could possibly shoot 50 in one area then move into a new area on the same day. In places such as Georgian Bay, this would be possible.
3. Other studies have shown that when harassed cormorants will move to a new area. That will make protected areas, such as Algonquin Provinial Park, a sink for cormorants.
4. There have been no studies to demonstrate why a cull of this extent is necessary.

I think it is important to point out that I would support area specific culls of cormorants by trained staff such as those completed at Pres'quille PP and Middle Island (Lake Erie).