DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT IMPACTS TO COMMERCIAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES

Authors

Jimmy D. Taylor II, USDA/APHIS/WS National Wildlife Research CenterFollow
Brian S. Dorr, USDA-APHIS-Wildlife Services, Mississippi Field StationFollow

Date of this Version

1-1-2003

Comments

Proceedings of the 10th Wildlife Damage Management Conference. (K.A. Fagerstone, G.W. Witmer, Eds). 2003.

Abstract

The North American population of double-crested cormorants (Phalacrocorax auritus) has increased at an annual rate of 6.8% since 1966, with regional growth exceeding 20%/year since 1990 in Ontario and states bordering the Great Lakes. Population numbers, though operating under biological carrying capacity, have exceeded acceptance capacity with several wildlife stakeholder groups throughout Canada and the United States. Stakeholder concerns predominantly focus around social, ecological, and economic values associated with habitat destruction, changes in recreational fisheries, and loss of production at aquaculture facilities. We describe perceptible impacts to these commercial and natural resources, and discuss current research and management efforts focused on reconciling discrepancies between stakeholders acceptance and biological carrying capacities.