In recent years, the double-crested cormorant population has
exploded. And commercial fishermen say their business has suffered as a
result. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium’s Karen Kelly reports on a
new federal bill intended to reduce the population of this controversial
bird:
Transcript
The numbers fo bass and perch in the Great Lakes have declined. And many say the cormorant is to
blame. Now New York congressman John McHugh and Minnesota representative Collin Peterson are
proposing a solution. McHugh says they want to give states the option of creating a hunting season
for cormorants.
“The cormorant population is at an all-time high and I think most people who are even a
disppassionate, casual observer can understand that the cormorant population is having a
devastating effect on the fisheries and on the general environment.”
However, the National Audubon Society opposes the measure. They say the birds are protected under
the Migratory bird treaty act. The bill has been sent to the House committee on Resources. McHugh
hopes to have public hearings on the issue next spring.
For the Great Lakes Radio Consortium, I’m Karen Kelly.