The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters is pushing for more effective Cormorant control in the province.
The Federation’s Matte deMille told Prince Edward County council’s Committee of the Whole that current Cormorant controls such as culling, egg oiling and next removal have not affected the population of the birds in eastern Lake Ontario.
It’s estimated there are 10,000 adult Cormorants in this area.
The Federation says the birds destroy island habitats as they next in colonies and it’s estimated they eat over 1,200 tons of fish, both prey and commercial, each season.
The OFAH wants the government to remove the protections offered Cormorants under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act.
Councillor David Harrison, a commercial fisherman, said the once booming commercial fishery in Lake Ontario has shrunk to where it’s almost impossible to make a living.
However, councillor Bill Roberts suggested Cormorants only destroyed a small minority of islands, and that studies showed they had little effect on the fishery.
Prince Edward County council will decide whether or not to support the Federation’s request at its next meeting.