Cormorant Overpopulation Sparks Fish Wars in Europe

The great cormorant, once on the brink of extinction in Europe, has experienced a dramatic population recovery over the past half-century, leading to a significant conflict with the continent's fishing industry. The bird's voracious appetite for fish has prompted nine European Union members to call for a revision of protection rules that have been in place since 1979, aiming to maintain populations at an "ecologically and economically acceptable level."

Fishers describe the situation as dire, with cormorants allegedly depleting entire fish populations in wintering grounds and stressing fish to the point of reproductive damage. They report millions of fish lost annually to these birds. This overabundance is partly attributed to the absence of larger predatory fish, exacerbated by overfishing in some areas, and a lack of natural hiding places for fish in managed waterways.

Historically, cormorant populations were drastically reduced, bringing them close to extinction by the early 1960s. However, protected status since 1979 has allowed their numbers to swell to an estimated two million birds across Europe by 2026. This resurgence has created a divide, with conservationists and fishers disagreeing on how to manage the bird's impact.

While both sides acknowledge that large flocks of migrant birds cause the most damage, their proposed solutions differ. Fishers suggest proactive measures like oiling cormorant eggs to prevent hatching, arguing for intervention where birds reproduce. Conservationists, however, support targeted deterrent shooting in specific fish protection areas and advocate for environmental management, such as restoring natural fish habitats, to mitigate the issue.