To Whom it May Concern, I am…

To Whom it May Concern,

I am a resident of Ontario and am writing to express my opposition to the Proposal to establish a hunting season for Double-crested Cormorants in this province (ERO # 013-4124). I add my voice to the others who object to the proposal on the basis that it offers no evidence whatsoever to support the rationale for a hunting season. Furthermore, the proposal offers no evidence to suggest that a hunt of this scale will not have detrimental impacts on wildlife other than cormorants and on the ecosystem.

I am not opposed to hunting in general, and would be open to hearing a case for alternative measures to control Double-crested Cormorant population in certain areas. What I cannot agree with is a government basing decisions on "concerns expressed by some groups" as opposed to results of scientific inquiry that have been reviewed by professionals in a relevant area of expertise, such as ecology, wildlife biology, or fisheries science. Without looking at the evidence, how can we make any kind of prediction about what impacts - positive or negative - the proposed hunting season would have on fish populations, island forest habitats, or anything else?

Some scientists have raised concerns that, since the cormorant hunt would be happening from March to December, it could create a disturbance to other bird species breeding in areas where cormorants are found, such as herons and terns. It is logical to suggest that birds nesting in proximity to cormorants would be disturbed by the gunshots and the presence of hunters, and that the reproductive success of these birds could be reduced. Before I could accept any proposal for reducing the cormorant population, I would have to see evidence that the proposed measures would not negatively impact the population of other non-target species.

Once again, I am deeply concerned to see a proposal of this nature coming from the Ontario government. Without reviewing scientific evidence, there is no way to make a decision with any level of confidence that it will be in the best interest of Ontarians and Ontario's natural heritage. The decision around this issue will greatly influence my attitude towards and level of trust in the current government.

Regards.