Cormorant cull is a go

DanElliot · **Joined:** Mon Apr 08, 2002 8:59 am **Posts:** 4329

The Toronto Star reported yesterday thet the ontario gov has announced it will start the cormorant cull at Presquile park. Apparently a number of wildlife groups had filed complaints that would see the MNR do an enviromental impact assessment before starting the cull. That process would take too long and the gov decided the time is now as the birds are on the nests and they cant afford to wait any longer. hats off to the gov for making the right decision.

Mike · **Posted:** Fri May 07, 2004 7:20 am

This is excellent news. Nice to see them put there foot down and do it now even though they are going to get some back lash.

Cheers,

Mike

ODG · **Posted:** Fri May 07, 2004 9:09 am

Being an effective leader sometimes requires ones will and personal resolve to be strong. I respect this decision and hope that anglers, assorted groups and individuals support this, given that there will likley be flack.

Bravo MNR management for having the courage!

ODG

Mike · **Posted:** Fri May 07, 2004 10:03 am

Some articles on the topic. These articles are against the cull.

http://www.wildlifeontario.ca/content/news/stories/2004-04-27-CormorantCull.html

http://www.peacefulparks.org/press54.html

I love this quote:

Quote:

She suggested fisherman are protesting the bird population since cormorants eat fish. However, they only eat a variety of small fish, not the fish desired by fisherman, Willock said.

Obiviousily she has never heard that big fish eat little fish and less little fish mean less big fish...

Cheers,

Mike

traveller · **Posted:** Fri May 07, 2004 8:12 pm

Anyone who has been by the Brother Islands in front of Amherstview has to admit something must be done. Many a summer I have spent there in my youth I would not step one any of them now. One beautiful Island the trees are now totally bare from you know what they do. They are now roosting in trees east of Bath all the way up to Hydro plant. If left there will be not one tree on that shoreline in five years. I often wonder why they have not roosted on Nicholson Island yet, I wonder since the Island is owned by big shots including politicians if the Comorant hunt has already started there some years ago. ''JUST A THOUGHT NO PROOF"

wulf · **Posted:** Sat May 08, 2004 11:10 pm

The overabundance of cormorants is a direct result of the introduction of zebra mussels into area waters. The clearer water allows sunlight to penetrate deeper, thus promoting weed growth which provides an excellent habitat for the little invertebrates etc. which yellow perch, the cormorants staple food in the BOQ, like to eat. Lots of perch = lots of cormorants and mergansers.
And as an added bonus for the zebra mussels, the
large quantity of bird dung fertilizes the waters, growing more algae for them to eat.
We,ve created the problem( by allowing the mussels to be introduced)
and now we have to start applying population controls to species which are
benefiting because of it. Hope we can get playing god right eventually.
Q. Do cormorants eat a lot of gobies?

ODG · **Posted:** Sun May 09, 2004 10:51 am

Interesting responce Wulffy. Gobies have not yet peeked yet imo., and will hopefully do so in a few years. As it stands, the area waters are losing on a number of fronts when it comes to the by products of introduced species and the accompanying growth, effects, etc.

I/we remain supportive of MNR over a cull of the cormorants, and believe that we will never, ever get the god thing right.

What we could get right is a hefty conservation fine for ships that have "water based critters" found in their ballast. This would likley rarely come into play, but when it does.....financially "zap" them (owners and key personnel) big time as a message to others. It seems to reverborate rather quickly, when money and a few solid examples are set.

ODG

traveller · **Posted:** Sun May 09, 2004 7:08 pm

Went to Kincardine on Lake Huron last year to a Salmon derby and the Lake Trout were full of gobies. The salmon were not eating them at that time. Possibly more Lake Trout would help the cause.

Don Stokes · **Posted:** Sun May 09, 2004 10:53 pm

There should be lots of lake trout in the Eastern Basin of Lk. Ont. It will be interesting to see if they also develop a palate for the gobey.
Tight Lines
Don Stokes

HOME	Bait&Tackle	Bed&Breakfast	Boat Rentals	Campgrounds	Contact Us
Cottage Rentals	Guides/Fishing Charters	Hotels/Motels	Hunting Supplies	Ice Huts/Ice Guides	Marinas
Outfitters	QUINTE FISHING SERIES	Resorts	Tourism	Trailer Parks	Launches

Quinte Fishing

Cormorant cull is a go

Who is online