Hello RSPB folk
DEFRA are researching avian culls, spurred on by pressure from fisheries, and Mr Benyon MP has made his position clear with regards supporting angling interests above the cause of balanced conservation considering the entire biodiversity of watercourses in the UK.
http://www.defra.gov.uk/publications/2011/07/12/pb13588-impacts-predation/
Fisheries hounding for culls before review completion:
http://www.carmarthenshire.org.uk/more_about_cormorants.htm
I have searched but cannot see any response to this from the RSPB, The reference to public opinion appears to be paying "lip service" and as such public attention should be drawn to this to raise response regardless of whether or not DEFRA deem it fit, because currently with just the canvassing of angling and fisheries interests it is entirely a one sided and not representative of any form of democratic exploration.
Culling cormorants, goosanders (or even otters) might be justifiable if:
a) their population was so high that it had become threatened by disease epidemics communicable (or not) to other species,
b) their population posed a clear and present danger to wider biodiversity;
c) their population posed a genuine risk to human health/safety.
In any of these situations there would need to be incontrovertible evidence based on sound science that controlling numbers was the best solution.
Culling because a species is inconveniencing somebody's hobby is another matter entirely.....
Every day a little more irate about bird of prey persecution, and I have a cat - Got a problem with that?
Hi Morsey
Thanks for your post and welcome to the forum.
We fully understand your concerns and we are involved with the review process and will be doing all we can to ensure the legal protection status of these species is not weakened.
Please be aware that a national cull is not being discussed by this review, the link that Morsey provides clearly states this in the Exclusion section on page 11. As it states in the document, it would be 'inconsistent' with the Birds Directive. Also, in the Aims of the Review section, page 8, one of the highlighted points for the review is 'to ensure the conservation status of the cormorant, goosander and red-breasted mergansers is not jeopardised'. The review is looking at the current research, effectiveness of non-lethal measures, the licensing system and the impact on the birds as well as the fisheries, it will be interesting to see what they come out with.
From the dates given in this paper it doesn't look like we will be seeing any changes any time soon but the report does say a public consultation may be held this autumn so watch this space for that.
Currently, if fisheries are having serious problems with piscivorous birds they can use a variety of measures to prevent this such as fish shelters and bird scarers. However, if these are not proving effective and the fishery wishes to remove birds using lethal measures they can only do so under a specific licence from the respective government agency. DEFRA issue a technical advice note on the conflicts between fisheries and piscivorous birds linked here.
Warden Intern at Otmoor.
Thanks for putting us straight Ian.
Seriously thinking about trying harder!
I understand a fairly local angling club had a licence for reducing the number of Cormorants on their stretch of trout water but my concern was how it was policed and by who.
Pete
Birding is for everyone no matter how good or bad we are at it,enjoy it while you can
A 'Cormorant Control Hotline'. Isn't this simply losing the plot?
Ken
It's amazing what you see if you open your eyes.
Thank you for the reply Ian. Glad to hear that there is a balance of input into the review.