BASC welcomes plans to improve cormorant control

[BoNeS]

DEFRA plans to ease the conditions surrounding licences to control cormorants, which pose a significant threat to fish stocks, after studies showed there are approximately 23,000 birds wintering in Britain.


Copyright Laurie Campbell 2004

Tim Russell, Director of Conservation at BASC, said “This is an important step in conservation management and we are pleased that the Government has recognised the key role that shooting can play. Many people who shoot are also keen anglers and have seen at first hand the devastation which a colony of cormorants can cause to inland fisheries and waterways. DEFRA’s proposals will help to maintain the cormorant population within sustainable levels whilst providing a viable means of restricting the damage they can do. This decision will be welcomed by conservationists, anglers and shooters alike.”

Licences are currently issued to remove between 200-300 birds per year. DEFRA plans to increase that number to up to 3000 in the first place, before maintaining an annual control of 2000 birds. Each application for a licence will continue to be considered on a case-by-case basis, but the standard of proof required before a licence is issued will be relaxed. DEFRA will provide more help for applicants, increase the number of birds on each individual licence and extend the duration of licences to two years.

BASC has been in discussion with bodies such as the National Federation of Anglers and DEFRA for some time in an attempt to address the problems caused by cormorant predation on inland fish stocks.

Tim Russell said “It is important that management of cormorants is carried out legally, humanely, safely and responsibly. One of the most effective methods is to control them by shooting. BASC, with 120,000 members, is able to help fisheries and angling clubs to comply with the terms of their licences and we will continue to be work with angling bodies to achieve that.”