I live on the west arm of…

I live on the west arm of Lake Nipissing and am extremely dismayed at the proposal to cull cormorants.

A few things were immediately evident to me as I read through the proposal.

I did not read any reference to scientific studies as to why this needs to be done other than a couple of special interest groups do not like these birds. The closest thing to scientific data that I read was that Great Lakes cormorant populations have stabilized or declined slightly. Therefore the conclusion that I make is that this proposal is being made to please a select few...ie...a political proposal, not one based on science.

Once killed it is proposed that cormorants be allowed to spoil. We can get some extremely hot temperatures here. Rotting flesh in the heat does not seem too appealing. What diseases could be the result of this? Also will the birds of prey population expand due to this new food source? What will be the impact on other animal and plant species as they have to adapt to this unnatural occurrence?

I am an avid kayaker. The west arm is dotted with islands. What assurance do I have that I will not be hit by a bullet from a hunter if he shoots at cormorants on an island that I have just paddled behind and am out of visibility?

This proposal allows cormorants to be killed during the nesting season. Please explain to me how it is humane to kill a parent and leave the chicks defenseless. What about other species that are nesting nearby at the same time? Unintended casualties?

I know that the Great Lakes are stocked with non native species for the sport fishers. The cormorant is a native bird. Humans have altered the natural ecological order.

I would like to see an education program put forth explaining why the cormorants exist, the part they play in biodiversity, and explain that the cormorant has a valuable role to play in the Great Lakes ecosystems. Humans have no problem changing the ecosystem to their advantage and just because one or two powerful vocal groups that align with the current provincial government wants them culled is not a scientific reason to do so. One of the vocal groups is property owners. From my viewpoint of living on water I have observed owners decimating their property to bring city like conveniences to their rural setting. They have no trouble bulldozing down trees, blasting rocks etc, but they want the area surrounding their property to be pristine, hence they do not like to see an island where the trees have died due to cormorant habitation. In other words the invasive species called humans have no trouble altering the natural beauty of their own property but do not like to see a native inhabitant, the cormorant spoiling the view of the surrounding area.

As you can tell from reading my comments I have many questions. I would very much like to see the scientific basis on which this proposal is based.

I look forward to your reply to my questions.

Thank you for allowing me to submit my comments.