Cormorant Control

The Cheboygan Tribune reports on efforts in some Northern Michigan counties to control the cormorant population:

The control efforts are being initiated by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources or the U.S. Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services. DNR spokeswoman Mary Detloff said that cormorants have increased to record numbers in the Great Lakes region. “In response to the potential damage these high numbers could have on fish, wildlife and other resources, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service authorized the local control of populations in areas where cormorants are causing damage,” she said.

“It appears cormorants have the highest potential to cause negative impacts to fish or other natural resources in two situations,” said Raymond Rustem, Wildlife Division natural heritage unit supervisor. “The first is the migratory flocks of birds that move through Michigan. During this period, large flocks of birds may feed in shallow waters of lakes during the brief period they move through Michigan.”

He said that the second situation is when cormorants establish breeding colonies. “Research indicates that cormorant breeding colonies may play a role in reducing game fish populations in localized areas,” he said.

Detloff said that the DNR will be monitoring fish populations at sites with control actions to document how fish populations respond to cormorant control activities.

“Our goal is to use the best scientific data from both fisheries and wildlife to manage cormorants at biologically and socially acceptable levels,” said Bill Moritz, chief of the Wildlife Division.

Cormorant activity and heavy population areas can be reported online by going to www.dnr.state.mi.us/cormorantobs/ and filling out the online form.