Wildlife

Cormorant and Diving Bird Welfare in Aquaculture Conflicts

Cormorants are persecuted by fish farmers due to predation impacts on aquaculture stocks, creating welfare conflicts between wild birds and commercial interests.

Key Facts

Great cormorants are protected species under EU Birds Directive
Aquaculture managers report significant economic losses from cormorant predation
Derogation licences allow limited lethal control of cormorants near fisheries
Non-lethal deterrents include acoustic devices, netting and visual scare tactics
Cormorant populations have recovered significantly since persecution reductions began

Welfare Considerations

Cormorant management in aquaculture contexts requires balancing fish welfare, farmer economic interests and wild bird protection. Non-lethal deterrence is preferable to shooting. Evidence shows that pond netting is more cost-effective than lethal control while avoiding bird welfare harm.

What You Can Do

Support policy approaches that prioritise non-lethal cormorant deterrence
Advocate for aquaculture design standards that integrate bird-exclusion measures
Report illegal persecution of protected bird species to wildlife crime units