All native species matter…

All native species matter. The double -crested cormorant is a native species that has suffered serious declines in the past and is currently making a come back. While it is perhaps not the most attractive bird species, admittely consumes fish and is not considered an aesthetic enhancement by some these are not valid scientific reasons to try and exterminate this species.

Trying to disguise this potential extermination effort by proposing to declare the double -crested cormorant a game species and giving hunters a virtually open season to hunt them defies conservation wisdom and should be beneath OMNR. When you consider that the double-crested cormorant is considered by most to be inedible obviously the object is not to provide hunters with a source of good quality game to hunt to eat and ensure that the so called game species the double -crested cormorant population can be sustained for hunters.

This leaves one to ponder the real intent of this proposed legislation. Is it to provide "hunters" with endless "hunting" opportunities throughout the year and copious bag limits and in the process of doing so to appease fisherman (commercial and private individuals) endless complaints by those who believe that the double -crested cormorant is eating their potential fish catches? Interestingly the maligned double -crested cormorant is probably doing them a great service by eating invasive fish species and habitat loss, increasing poor water quality, wetlands loss, stream alteration, agricultural runoff, cottage development, climate change, illegal and excessive fishing all of which affect fish habitat and fisheries sustainability are ignored. Is it the OMNR needing to pander to cottagers loss of "aesthetics" complaints. How convenient and abhorrent for OMNR to try and solve the desires and misconceptions of hunters fisherman and those who complain about the loss of "aesthetics" by creating in effect the legalized extermination of a native species under the guise of an creating a hunt for a species that (will be virtually unsustainable) for a species virtually nobody would consider eating. By the way how would all these unwanted carcasses be disposed of by the hunters that want to shoot the double -crested cormorant but have no use for them? Will they just be left to rot in the water or on land wherever they are shot?

In addition there is the potential harm permitting this hunt to take place will bring with it. Allowing it to take place during the nesting season of the target species and all other bird and other species of our biodiversity is disruptive and makes no conservation sense. Finally what about all the rest of the residents and visitors to Ontario. Do they not deserve to be able to enjoy the peace and tranquillity of nature around Ontario's lakes and rivers with out being disturbed or threatened by the gun shots of hunters in a virtually open season on the double -crested cormorant.

Please drop this ill advised , environmentally damaging and unjustifiable decision in terms of sound, sustainable conservation to make the double -crested cormorant a "game species" and legalize its extermination through hunting.

OMNR needs to demonstrate a real commitment to protecting what should always be its primary focus that being the long term protection and sustainability of Ontario's fragile and essential biodiversity and natural ecosystems to ensure that they are there to support , and provide the life supporting ecosystem services that they currently provide us for the next seven generations and beyond. To do any less is both irresponsible and a dereliction of OMNR's duty to all Ontarian's now and for the future.