Wild Animals

Wild Cormorant Inland Spread

Great cormorants have expanded into inland freshwater habitats since the 1980s, creating conflicts with anglers and fish farmers while facing welfare threats from persecution and inadequate protection.

Key Facts

Great cormorant populations have grown significantly in the UK and Europe since protection
Inland breeding colonies now exist at dozens of UK sites including reservoirs and lakes
Cormorants consume significant quantities of fish at angling venues and fish farms
Licensed shooting under Natural England permits controls some populations at vulnerable sites

Welfare Considerations

Cormorants subject to shooting operations experience disturbance, injury and stress. Birds that are wounded but not killed face prolonged suffering. The expansion of inland populations represents natural recovery from historical persecution, and management responses must balance angler and fish farmer economic interests against individual bird welfare. Scaring rather than lethal control causes less welfare harm.

What You Can Do

Advocate for non-lethal deterrence as the primary cormorant management tool at inland fisheries
Report suspected illegal killing of cormorants to the RSPB and police
Support evidence-based rather than precautionary licensed shooting programmes
Engage with the debate through the RSPB cormorant management research and policy work