USFWS Seeking Public Comment on Cormorant Control
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) is seeking input from the public on management efforts for cormorants. The proposed rule would establish a permit for state wildlife agencies to authorize management techniques that were previously prohibited.
States would have the delegated authority to determine whether, when, where and for what purposes to control cormorants within limits set by the USFWS. Michigan United Conservation Clubs is in strong support of reinstating cormorant control per several member-passed resolutions.
The public comment period will expire on March 9. To submit a comment, click here.
When making your comments, consider using these talking points:
- Michigan hosts about 55% of the interior population’s breeding pairs and can be considered “ground zero” for the negative effects of cormorants.
- Cormorants, a federally-protected, fish-eating bird, feed primarily on alewives and round gobies but also significant numbers of stocked trout, salmon and yellow perch.
- Research has firmly established the linkage between cormorant predation on fish populations and their decline in Saginaw Bay and the Les Cheneaux perch fishery.
- Stocking of trout and salmon becomes impractical when cormorant numbers at stocking sites become excessive — this continues to occur throughout lakes Michigan and Huron.
- A passed MUCC resolution calls for the significant reduction in the cormorant population in Michigan through lethal management efforts such as the taking of cormorants, eggs and nests.
If you would like to learn more about cormorant management, the USFWS has compiled several documents here: https://www.fws.gov/regulations/cormorant/resources
The public comment period will expire on March 9. We urge you to support cormorant control by submitting public comments here to protect our investments in stocking and fisheries management here in Michigan!
i live in Hubbard Lake near Thunder Bay in Alpena MI. I was a long time recreational sports fisherman on
Thunder Bay in Lake Huron I have seen them in large flocks flying low over the water. They are easily identified
by anyone who compares them to photos he has seen.
These birds are known to nest in large numbers on small uninhabited islands in Thunder Bay. The breeding could be easily controlled bt oiling the eggs in the nests during breeding season Try transporting volunteers
by small boat to the islands. Equip them with garden insecticide spray tanks of 3 gal. capacity.. Fill the
spray apparatus with a harmless vegetable oil which would be sprayed on the eggs in the nest when
the alarmed parents would be alarmed and leave the nests. The sprayed eggs , deprived by the oil
of transpiration would not hatch. The birds might attempt to lay and hatch another clutch. A second
oiling of the eggs would insure no increas the population of these invasive, detrimental birds.
This could be a real low cost solution. There is a local sportsman’s club here to contact..I feel sure
you could get help from the local Walleye and bass clubs. The state Salmon fisherman’s organizations
would want to help since these predators are very detrimental their angling experience.
Think of the benefit to the economy,]. Many small communities rely heavily on angling for a significant part of their annual revenues. Boats, baits, marinas, fuel, launch fees, fish cleaning stations , not to mention all
kinds of fishing equipment. Do not forget the motels, hotels, restaurants, and party stores.
Fishermen have deep pockets when it comes to buying the latest and best thing even rumored to
catch fish. Lastly, this action is less likely to arouse the “Hunny Huggers”. Robert Sylvester
This makes sense
Kill them all….
Kill them all
They are the most destructive birds on the Saginaw Bay, eating over a pound of fish a day, killing everything on the islands from their poop.
I do see a problem you can not use it this control for let’s use duck season only… Being fish eating birds they will not taste good at all so why would the duck hunters waste expensive shotgun shells on a trash bird… They need to be treated like crap and gar… Or you may have to put a bounty on them in order to get enough birds down to start to get control back…
Let’s get the same population reduced by any means necessary. I can’t believe this was not allowed decades ago….
They need control, eating to many sport fish. Thanks for your time.
I have seen two thousand of this predators flying South in a huge flock into the Saginaw Bay at my Pt Lookout cottage. I know that their ability to dive deep is eliminating our shoreline fishing opportunities where my kids have enjoyed fishing for perch. Years ago perch were plentiful at the shorelines, however fishing during the past five years at the shore has been unsuccessful. Please consider eliminating these vermin.
No better way then letting us waterfowl hunters take part in controlling them.
Please get them under control !
Are they good eating.
Get rid of them. Their droppings are disgusting, the smell is atrocious, and they effect the fisheries.
Its them or us.
In Ohio they are over populated and need have their numbers thinned more.
I believe their numbers on Lake Huron and Saginaw Bay should be reduced and controlled to protect our fishery.
Get rid of them or just thin them out. I see way to many on the great lakes. I am starting to see them inland on the grand river and on Morrison lake in ionia county.
I am for reducing these birds
These birds bring nothing positive. They devastate fisheries by eating a tremendous amount of game fish. They destroy any habitat where they roost with their acidic feces. Please allow us to control these invasive birds before its too late.
do whatever you have to do to eliminate them
What’s more important here,our fisheries or this invasive species?? Easy question,shouldn’t even have to think about this one. DMP,Lake St. Clair/Anchor Bay.
I watch every fall as cormorants group together in large flocks on Lake Erie. This is a huge fish eating machine organized to take whatever they can. Emerald shiners are early on the food chain and without them, perch, smallmouth, walleye and steelhead suffer. Cormorants flock up on the areas where these minnows school together making the water dark in numbers. This is where the real damage is done. Studies are being done as to why emerald shiner numbers are down even affecting the common terns which nest in the Buffalo area of Lake Erie. There is a need to get the cormorant population under control. Great lakes states and provinces need to assemble together and coordinate a common plan.
get rid of these- bring back the perch population and alewives to let our fish grow!
There has to be a open hunting season on these birds . They will kill the vegetation around the lake and eliminate most of the game fish if nothing is done .
They almost killed off leech lake in Minnesota about 30 years ago . Look at Dave Gillespie’s video from back then and you will see how these worthless birds were killing that lake . Tourist and fisherman were not going there untill the state opened up a hunting season on these birds .
Please allow control of these invasive species who’s numbers have exploded in Michigan over the past 30 years. Islands have lost habitat due to their nesting/roosting, fish stocks in many lakes have been negatively impacted.
Comments are very simple it’s an invasive species and should not be protected in any way shape or form it should be open season unconditionally . This bird prays on small fish whether it be perch Pike walleye trout or salmon just like the Asian carp and Gray carp they are invasive and should have a bounty on them rather than restrictions
Kill them off they have devastated lakes in the upper peninsula
I think you put more money In to control on west side like everything else. Be nice to have more fish on east side but the birds eat alot in lake huron big flocks look like black clouds . Eating armys. If course you see their purpose but that’s why we have other birds to help with that.
We live on a quiet beautiful no wake lake in Fenton. Our lake has been taken over by these and I have seen 17 at a time hunting and fishing in groups. Our fish population is dwindling and I’m concerned about the water quality with their stool in the water. It’s very concerning and needs to be addressed. Thank you.
I put my comment in already
Zebra mussels increased water clarity allowing the Cormorant populations to soar mean while decimating the alewife and baitfish populations upon which the gamefish planting programs relied upon for there success. If the Great Lakes fisheries are to recover the Cormorant population must be brought under control.
kill them all !!!
These birds are eating machines, I’ve seen them gulp down a fishermans good day catch in perch while trolling in the EUP. I’m not sure of there purpose as a sportsman, they seem to be able to decrease fish numbers (perch/trout) in my area without a benefit to the environment. They are not a scavenger bird so the arguement of them feeding on carrion isn’t evenr relevant or realistic. I believe the population needs to be severly controlled as they are nothing but a nuisance and waste.
Put a open season on them , with a high limit per day. No one wants to waste their day or money for a 2 or 3 amount a day.
I would be more than happy to help manage cormorant populations here in the central up! There are so many of these birds they have islands completely wiped out of trees. The fishing on nearby waters is also down from what it once was.
Cormorants should be decimated. Their is NO value to these birds. They are not indigenous and should be classified as an invasive species much like Asian carp… As an angler I have witnessed the disaster left in their path. Many, many local lakes of Norther Michigan have been eradicated of pan fish and small fry. Small islands that were once a nice place to pull up to and enjoy an afternoon lunch and covered over with feces and absolutely stink…
My vote is “open season” to hunters on land and water…
Very important to control their population. Better yet kill as many as possible
I am in total support of the Cormorant Control!
These are invasive and are horrible. No one wants to eat them they taste awful. No ducks all cormorants. Open season, let us use a .22.
I would be open to a Comorant hunting season
We need An open season on these pest! They serve no purpose except destroying the fishing!
Reinstate the spring lethal harassment program on the cormorants in Bays DeNoc. Save the fish. It’s ridiculous. Michigan DNR cut the daily perch catch limit from 50 fish to 25, how stupid. Because clearly anglers are the problem. Dumb. Do something about the fish eating machines. We are overrun by the THOUSANDS 4 months a year because some bird lovers get all upset if any management is used. Set aside the politics and extra crap. Let’s get serious about sound management. Same goes for the wolves! I shot cormorants three springs during the lethal harassment program to try and save spawning fish. Reinstate the program! Tony Aderman from the USDA Wildlife Services was our supervisor. Enough sitting on our hands trying not offend anyone. Time for you to get serious.
We finally have a balanced and a good fishery again. We do not need an aggressive feeding bird that is invasive to our region to kill our fish without being controlled. We need to shoot adults all summer long and oil the eggs.Have no closed season on them.
Use pigs during the brooding season on the Islands
Please eradicate these birds, as they are reeking havoc on the fish and environment. It’s out of control!!!
As an avid angler I have seen cormorants numbers keep going up and up well bait fish and certain species of fish I target numbers drop in relation. I also see many small islands on the lakes coverd in cormorants and the vegetation Is being killed by all there waste as well as per heads when me and my family go for walks on them well camping around the state of Michigan. I’d like to see some depredations permits to help control there numbers and see if we can get better returns on shiners smelt and perch around the great lakes thankyou for you time. Sincerely Brian Cripps
I’ve hunted waterfowl and fished for perch on the Saginaw Bay for over 50 years. I quit perch fishing there over 12 years ago because cormorants had decimated the fishing industry there. Also quit waterfowl hunting there because the 10’s of thousands of ducks have been replaced by 10’s of thousands of cormorants. The cormorants are killing the foliage habitat due to the tons of excrement dropped and as hunters, the State has tied our hands on controlling this useless bird that is costing Sportsmen their hobbies. Their population is mow so out of control that the State should have an open and unlimited hunting season on them and allow the gulls to clean up after them. This would also allow for younger fish to survive from the gulls as well. Other causes of this useless bird include:
Michigan hosts about 55% of the interior population’s breeding pairs and can be considered “ground zero” for the negative effects of cormorants.
Cormorants, a federally-protected, fish-eating bird, feed primarily on alewives and round gobies but also significant numbers of stocked trout, salmon and yellow perch.
Research has firmly established the linkage between cormorant predation on fish populations and their decline in Saginaw Bay and the Les Cheneaux perch fishery.
Stocking of trout and salmon becomes impractical when cormorant numbers at stocking sites become excessive — this continues to occur throughout lakes Michigan and Huron.
A passed MUCC resolution calls for the significant reduction in the cormorant population in Michigan through lethal management efforts such as the taking of cormorants, eggs and nests.
Hunters fully support the elimination of the cormorant or reduse in numbers significantly with an ongoing seasonal limit to keep their numbers in check.
I look forward to a resolution to this issue.
I’ve hunted waterfowl and fished for perch on the Saginaw Bay for over 50 years. I quit perch fishing there over 12 years ago because cormorants had decimated the fishing industry there. Also quit waterfowl hunting there because the 10’s of thousands of ducks have been replaced by 10’s of thousands of cormorants. The cormorants are killing the foliage habitat due to the tons of excrement dropped and as hunters, the State has tied our hands on controlling this useless bird that is costing Sportsmen their hobbies. Their population is mow so out of control that the State should have an open and unlimited hunting season on them and allow the gulls to clean up after them. This would also allow for younger fish to survive from the gulls as well. Other causes of this useless bird include:
Michigan hosts about 55% of the interior population’s breeding pairs and can be considered “ground zero” for the negative effects of cormorants.
Cormorants, a federally-protected, fish-eating bird, feed primarily on alewives and round gobies but also significant numbers of stocked trout, salmon and yellow perch.
Research has firmly established the linkage between cormorant predation on fish populations and their decline in Saginaw Bay and the Les Cheneaux perch fishery.
Stocking of trout and salmon becomes impractical when cormorant numbers at stocking sites become excessive — this continues to occur throughout lakes Michigan and Huron.
A passed MUCC resolution calls for the significant reduction in the cormorant population in Michigan through lethal management efforts such as the taking of cormorants, eggs and nests.
Hunters fully support the elimination of the cormorant or reduse in numbers significantly with an ongoing seasonal limit to keep their predation on fish populations and their decline in Saginaw Bay and the Les Cheneaux perch fishery.
Stocking of trout and salmon becomes impractical when cormorant numbers at stocking sites become excessive — this continues to occur throughout lakes Michigan and Huron.
A passed MUCC resolution calls for the significant reduction in the cormorant population in Michigan through lethal management efforts such as the taking of cormorants, eggs and nests.
If you would like to learn more about cormorant management, the USFWS has compiled several documents here: https://www.fws.gov/regulations/cormorant/resources
The public comment period will expire on March 9. We urge you to support cormorant control by submitting public comments here to protect our investments in stocking and fisheries management here in Michigan!
Posted in Policy and tagged comment, control, cormorant, fish eating, usfws
← Working for Waterfowl
About Ian FitzGerald
View all posts by Ian FitzGerald →
Leave a Comment
Comment
Name (required)
Email (will not be published) (required)
Website
Michigan United Conservation Clubs, a 501c3 nonprofit conservation organization
2101 Wood St.
Lansing, MI 48912
517.371.1041
FacebookTwitterYoutube
Website powered by Neon Inspire
Since these birds have came back our perch have steadily declined.Their population needs to be managed by what ever means necessary.
The Comorants population definitely needs to be reduced. By waiting as long as we have, it’s hard to measure the loss to the fishery that Michigan and the surrounding states had. By waiting it will only get worse. As people grow tired the birds will suffer even more. Soon people will want to, “wipe” them out instead of simply reducing the numbers.
Please reduce cormorant numbers. They are devastating our quality of fishing. We pay for conservation of our fishing grounds then we do not protect them.
These birds are totally out of control they will wipe a small pond out in a week and they are way over populated on the bay and Lake Huron they look like floating land masses there’s so many kill the all
They are a nuisance! They eat bait fish, they eat game fish and are destroying fishing in MI. I would be happy to waste a few shells on them during duck season
The birds need to be controlled like everything else thank you
I’m in total agreement that the number of these birds needs to be reduced dramatically, the population of these birds is out of control. I think both a open hunting season with no limits along with destroying their eggs
via the most cost effective method would go a long way
in at least reducing their numbers.
Lack of action will only allow the problem to get worse. Cornorants numbers are large and we know they feed on the fish we stock as well as perch and other species. The State DNR should be able to control the Cormorant population and protect our fish populations so that all may survive.
Please reduce or eliminate these birds altogether. I am a senior citizen who used to love to fish for yellow perch and walleye in the U.P. Of Michigan. It has been many years since there has been the numbers of perch we were able to get before the over abundance of Cormorants. They are now decimating the salmon fishery in Lake Michigan.
Please make an effort to control the cormorant populations. They have certainly caused damage to our fisheries and need to be dealt with from any available angle. Thanks
Reduce the comorant population immediately. Still have not seen any documentation showing any benefit these damn birds offer. Open a season on them and the state would make $ off sales to shoot em. Revenue would bring in more than just the waterfowl revenue which is declining yearly. Win win for both, the state and anglers. I never bought a license to shoot a bird but I’d buy as many as I could to help reduce them dam birds.
They need to be totally eradicated… they are literally eating their way through the fish population.
I have lived in Michigan most of my life. IMHO our Lake Michigan fishery, down here in St. Joseph and the St. Joseph River estuary, needs this invasive birds #’s greatly reduced if not completely removed. It’s not over-fishing by commercial or sport fisheries….It’s these dang birds….get rid of them.
Allow hunting to control their population. Put a bounty on their heads.
It is obvious these birds are very detrimental to certain popular game fish specie populations. They need to be kept in check and again… obviously, we the human species are the only ones capable of doing the population control.
If they’re not completely eliminated, the problem will inevitably occur repeatedly again and again. Please don’t allow the bleeding heart bird huggers stop the solution to a much greater problem!
I used to fish Perch in Caseville in the 70’s and the city was booming with fishermen and women. What a great time to spend with your kids catching bucketloads of perch. Now, it’s not even worth trying to catch perch there except at some times in winter. The city doesn’t have the amount of visitors it used to exceprt during the Cheesburger festival, somthing they had to come up with to get tourists back. The protections put on these fish eating machines have not only hurt the fishing industry but also local economies for business as well as even housing prices there.
When a species such as this has such a large negative impact on other species, especially those that are paid for by taxpayer money, such as stocking fish of all species, they need to be controlled. They serve no positive position within the aquatic food chain and we the people should be able to shoot, kill and control them by any legal means. They should fall under the small game requirements just as Crows do.
Please pass a resolution to control or eradicate the cormorant population in Michigan.
i have 4 of them eating my frogs every summer muskegon mi
Please get them under control by any means
I had a wonderful childhood catching perch on Saginaw Bay, My children the same, but my grandchildren will never have the opportunity unless these BIRDS ARE ERADICATED! All you do is gtake surveys and talk about what to do! Get your heads out of your asses and DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM!