The angling community
claims they are having an adverse effect on sport fish populations and
that they kill the trees they nest in. Unfortunately cormorants are the
victims of misinformation and prejudice.
They have returned to the
Great Lakes ecosystems they inhabited in past years, but they have
little, if any, effect on sport fish populations and the trees that may
die in their nesting colonies are part of a natural process of
succession. But because they are fish eaters, the sport fishing
industry has been quick to condemn them.
Recently, the sport fishing
industry has been pressuring the Ontario government to drastically
reduce cormorant numbers. Tens of thousands have already been killed
during their most vulnerable time - their nesting season.
(Dead Cormorants
Hanging in Nests)
Scientific research
has repeatedly proven that cormorants have no substantial negative
ecological impact on fish populations. In fact, the majority of their
diet is alewife and round goby, both introduced species that have
disrupted Ontario's natural ecosystems. The Ontario government however,
is continuing to kill cormorants - to pacify an aggressive lobby
against them.
Slaughtering a native
waterbird species is unscientific, unethical and unnecessary.
It is clearly not the best use of the Ministry of Natural Resources
limited budget.
Total cost to
date: in excess of 2 million dollars.
Please lend your support to the protection of native
wildlife. Raise this issue with Premier Dalton McGuinty and David
Ramsay, Minister of Natural Resources, today!
alton.McGuinty@premier.gov.on.ca">Email
McGuinty
Dalton McGuinty,
Premier
Legislative Building
Queen's Park
Toronto ON M7A 1A1
Fax: (416) 325-3745
Email Ramsay
Hon. David Ramsay
Minister of Natural Resources
6630-99 Wellesley St W, 6th Floor, Whitney Block
Toronto, ON
M7A 1W3
Tel: 416-314-2301
Fax: 416-314-2216
et them know that the
killing of cormorants is an archaic, destructive and cruel method of
wildlife management that has no scientific or ecological justification.
SAVE THE
CORMORANTS VOLUNTEERS NEEDED http://www.zoocheck.com/programs/wildlife/Cormorants/Recruitment%20Poster.pdf
Double-crested cormorants
are large, black water birds that have returned to the Great Lakes
after being nearly wiped out by pesticides. Several thousand cormorants
nest on High Bluff Island in Presqu'ile Provincial Park, just east of
Toronto. Hunting and fishing groups have demonized the birds, claiming
they are "eating all the fish" and destroying the environment, even
though there is no basis to these claims. Responding to the vocal
hunting and fishing lobby, the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources
has been slaughtering thousands of cormorants over the past couple of
years by shooting them as they nest. It is unscientific, unethical,
unnecessary and cruel.
Cormorant Defenders
International is seeking volunteers to assist with our "on-the-water"
campaign during the upcoming Presqu'ile Provincial Park
Double-crested cormorant cull in May - June 2006.
Observers are to be
strategically positioned in kayaks, canoes and motor boats around High
Bluff Island to observe the cull and to document the behaviour of the
cormorants and other water birds prior to and during the operation.
Collecting this information is essential to this campaign and will help
counter the flawed arguments being used to justify killing the birds.
In addition, Ontario
Ministry of Natural Resources staff are unable to effectively carry out
the cormorant cull while observers are present, so boats on the water
around High Bluff Island have the potential to save hundreds or
thousands of the bird's lives.
In 2005, Natural Resources
was attempting to kill 5,500 birds, but due to the presence of the
observers, they were only able to kill 1,867, meaning that more than
3,100 birds and their babies were saved due to our presence on the
water during the cull. With more people helping we can save even more
birds this year.
The call for volunteers has been very good so far, but we can always
use more. Whether it's just a half day, a full day or even a couple of
weeks, the cormorants can use your help. Accommodations and boats will
be provided, but we encourage anyone with their own watercraft to bring
it along.
In 2005,
observers were on the water from dawn until dusk each day of the cull,
but some days (particularly mid-week) staffing was low. But everyone
who participated in this project said it was one of the most fun and
rewarding actions they have ever been involved in. If you like the
water, the outdoors and want to help save birds by volunteering in
2006, or if you would just like to make a donation of finances or
equipment, please contact: Julie Woodyer, Zoocheck
Canada 416-285-1744 julie@zoocheck.com