Cormorants are frequently in conflict with fish farmers and anglers. Finding welfare-positive approaches to conflict management protects both wild birds and human fishing interests.
Cormorant conflict management involves welfare trade-offs between the interests of individual birds and legitimate economic interests of fish farmers and fishery managers. Shooting causes acute welfare harm and kills protected wildlife. Where shooting is licensed, it occurs under controlled conditions but remains a welfare cost. Non-lethal deterrents that prevent access without harming birds represent the welfare-positive approach to conflict management. Supporting research into cost-effective non-lethal deterrent systems reduces the pressure for lethal management and better reconciles cormorant welfare with legitimate fishery protection.