FreeLists / birdky / [birdky] Re: DC Cormorant - to be killed in unlimited numbers.

[Brainard.Palmer-Ball@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

I almost posted about the US Fish and Wildlife Service's proposal to allow
some control of cormorant numbers when the announcement was released a
couple of months ago.  I think it is important to recognize that some of the
environmental successes of the past several decades (most importantly
improved water quality in many regions) are responsible for the cormorant
"problem" however, real or perceived it may be.  I asked USFWS employee, Bob
Russell, about the implications of this proposal when I saw him at our
recent KOS spring meeting.  He is in agreement that the actions of greatest
significance to the cormorant population overall that likely will be
implemented are those that a few midwestern states will undertake to reduce
nesting success on the Great Lakes.  He was unsure how extensive the impacts
cormorants might be having on other nesting waterbirds in the Great Lakes
region are, but certainly there is some caution to be noted.  It would be a
shame to see a decline in the number of nesting terns, with which the corms
share nesting space, on the Great Lakes for sure.  I don't mean to advocate
the decision, but I believe the link from Save Our Birds is a bit misleading
from what I took away from the recent announcement and 2001 Draft EIS.
Attached below are links to the proposal and the 2001 draft EIS.  I
personally see nothing close to as dramatic as is suggested by SOB, but must
admit to not reading the documents thoroughly.

What I was going to post concerning this topic was a cautious acceptance of
the proposal, but a note to birders to keep a keen eye out in our home
states for abuses or unnecessary measures that might be taken locally.  As
will occur anywhere, Great Lakes states will be responsible for obtaining
permits from the USFWS for specific control measures that will theoretically
be monitored closely.  Here in KY we will not be able to monitor those
activities, but we might run into local issues (fish farms, hatcheries) that
will lobby for actions through newly allowed and permitted state or federal
government activities. Certainly there will be scenarios in which actions
will be taken that might be unncessary.  However, I also think there may be
some cause for concern locally. I am currently monitoring the impact that
roosting and loafing cormorants are having on islands in Lake Barkley and
Kentucky Lake as a result of some converstations I have had with members of
our Ky. Dept. of Fish and Wildlife Resources staff.  There is some concern
that roosting/loafing corms are causing the island habitats, some of which
are being used by nesting waders, to decline. I must admit that I am seeing
impacts to the nesting islands on Lake Barkley that should be closely
watched. What might I suggest we do if increasing numbers of cormorants
cause a decline in nesting waders? I'm not sure, but I sure don't want to
see the waders disappear.

A somewhat similar measure was initiated recently to address the
skyrocketing continental Snow Goose population, albeit largely for concerns
about the nesting habitat for other arctic species, not commerical fishing
interests, so one has to be at least somewhat skeptical of the need for the
cormorant proposal.  However, I am not completely convinced that we as
birders need to outright oppose the notion that something might need to be
done. Balancing ecosystems is a VERY tricky business, and a task that is
often complicated by compromises that must be made for the overall
conservation effort.

I welcome more discussion, especially from those who might have read through
the entire documents supporting the proposal.  The draft EIS can be viewed
at the following link:

http://migratorybirds.fws.gov/issues/cormorant/deis/deis.html

The recent proposed rule can be viewed at the following link:

http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov
/2003/pdf/03-6174.pdf

bpb, Louisville
brainard.palmer-ball@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx


-----Original Message-----
From: OLCOOT1@xxxxxxx [mailto:OLCOOT1@xxxxxxx]
Sent: Friday, May 09, 2003 4:23 PM
To: birdky@xxxxxxxxxxxxx; tn-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx; albirds@xxxxxxxxxxx;
ARBIRD-L@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [birdky] DC Cormorant - to be killed in unlimited numbers.


Birders,

Just thought some of you would be interested. Science means nothing if you 
don't have political clout. Birders need to unite and become 
vocal............

Good Birding!!!

Jeff R. Wilson
OL' COOT / TLBA
Bartlett Tenn.


FWD from From Lewis Crowell, East Aurora, NY

    The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), disregarding the pleas of
leading ornithologists and conservationists, is   proposing to allow the
killing of unlimited numbers of Double-crested Cormorants in 24 states.
This new rule
would set a dangerous precedent for the potential  slaughter of other
birds such as Caspian Terns, herons,  mergansers and even kingfishers,
based largely on unsubstantiated and unscientific claims that the birds
deplete fishing resources.
    Click Here  http://www.saveourbirds.org ; to Stop This Proposed Rule

                               Yes, cormorants, herons, egrets and
kingfishers eat fish and have for millennia, with both fish and birds
flourishing. In the 19th century, Cormorants were relentlessly
persecuted, substantially reducing populations..  .  .
                       Cormorants are being made the scapegoat for
fishery declines while the  real reasons - over-fishing, pollution,
destruction of habitat and dams - go unchecked.  .  .  .  In the few
instances where cormorants   do cause problems to sport fisheries,
current regulations already allow for their control under FWS-issued
permits.

        The new rule, if implemented, could lead to the killing of
hundreds of thousands of birds. The slaughter and the  destruction of
nests, eggs, and young without a permit could occur if Cormorants are
found by a state or federal   agency to be "injurious to public
resources". This means that when Cormorants eat fish from any public
waters,  an agency could shoot, snap the necks of, or gas unlimited
numbers without another agency (the FWS)
exercising independent scientific review and judgment in issuing a
permit, as must be done now.
              Click Here to Act Now

                               WHAT CAN YOU DO: So far, misguided
corporate and fishing interests have overwhelmed scientists and
conservationists in commenting on the FWS cormorant management proposal.
(Where are the birders??  Your voice will help shift the   balance back
in favor of reasoned science and environmental protection. Without your
intervention NOW, this   killing could escalate and other species will
be next. Please take a moment to send an automatic message via   email
to the public comment docket saying NO to the proposed depredation
order. Comments are due by May 16, so please don't hesitate.




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--

Jay Greenberg <conservationist@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Rochester, NY



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