Birds

Cormorant Welfare: Persecuted for Fishing Success

Cormorants have recovered strongly from historic persecution but now face renewed culling programs driven by fishing industry pressure.

Key Facts

Great cormorants were nearly eliminated from much of Europe by the mid-20th century
Their recovery under legal protection has brought them into conflict with fisheries
In the US, double-crested cormorant culls kill tens of thousands annually
Cormorants are intelligent birds that form colonies with complex social structures
They dive up to 150 feet to catch fish and can consume up to 1 lb of fish daily

Welfare Considerations

Cormorant culling programs involve shooting, oiling eggs, and nest destruction. Oiling eggs with corn oil prevents hatching but can also harm adult birds. Shot cormorants that are not killed outright die slowly from injuries. The welfare case against large-scale culling is strong given the availability of non-lethal deterrents that effectively protect fisheries.

What You Can Do

Oppose cormorant culling programs in your region
Support non-lethal deterrents for aquaculture cormorant conflict
Advocate for science-based rather than industry-driven wildlife management
Donate to seabird conservation and monitoring organizations
Report illegal cormorant persecution to wildlife authorities