Information Needs for the Double-Crested Cormorant in Midwestern North America, as Identified by an Audience Survey

Double-crested cormorant (DCCO) research needs and data gaps were identified in the early 1990’s by Erwin (1995) and Nisbet (1995). Erwin (1995) recommended four areas of research: (1) large-scale banding and marking to determine age- and sex specific survival and fecundity, (2) studies of movements during migration and winter, (3) assessment of limiting factors such as contaminants and disease, especially in light of recent Newcastle disease in cormorants, and (4) evaluation of economic impacts of cormorants on cultured fishes and ways to reduce predation by fish-eating birds

Information Needs for the Double-Crested Cormorant in Midwestern North America, as Identified by an Audience Survey

Double-crested cormorant (DCCO) research needs and data gaps were identified in the early 1990’s by Erwin (1995) and Nisbet (1995). Erwin (1995) recommended four areas of research: (1) large-scale banding and marking to determine age- and sex specific survival and fecundity, (2) studies of movements during migration and winter, (3) assessment of limiting factors such as contaminants and disease, especially in light of recent Newcastle disease in cormorants, and (4) evaluation of economic impacts of cormorants on cultured fishes and ways to reduce predation by fish-eating birds

Introduction: Double-crested Cormorants of the Great Lakes – St. Lawrence River Basin: Recent Studies, Movements and Responses to Management Actions

This paper introduces the second Special Publication of the Waterbird Society to address the biology and management of the Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritius) in North America. Since the late 1960s and early 1970s, when the species was at very low population levels, the Double-crested Cormorant has rebounded to its greatest population level in over 100 years. Such a significant increase has resulted in changes in community structure, and new stressors, in many aquatic ecosystems. Both Special Publications (1995 and 2013) have been focused on the biology and management of the species. The first volume dealt mainly with population growth and the resulting, immediate management issues. In the current volume, studies address the longer term situation, the implementation of two U.S. depredation orders and new research directions identified in the first Special Publication and in subsequent smaller cormorant symposia. Seventeen papers which comprise this volume are presented under six headings: introduction, impacts to natural resources, population dynamics, evaluation of control efforts, assessing fish consumption and bioenergetics, migration ecology and local and seasonal movements, and summary overview and future information needs. A second Special Publication on Double-crested Cormorants gives us an opportunity to assess how well cormorant biologists have addressed and answered questions we posed to ourselves 15 years earlier; it also provides us with a vision for the next 18 years

Introduction to the Symposium on Double-Crested Cormorants: Population Status and Management Issues in the Midwest

Populations of double-crested cormorants (Phalacrocorax auritus) have increased dramatically in the last 2 decades, particularly in the Great Lakes and the Southeastern United States. Their food habits and propensity for killing the trees in which they nest and roost have made cormorants the subject of much controversy. Cormorants affect—or are perceived to affect—sport fishing, aquaculture operations, vegetation, and other colonial waterbirds. Anglers, aquaculturists, resort operators, lakehome owners, politicians, and others are calling for a solution to these problems. This symposium was convened to provide information that will help conservation agencies and others make sound resource management decisions about cormorants. The objectives of the symposium were to: (1) provide up-to-date information on the status and biology of double-crested cormorants; (2) review scientific evidence related to the impacts of cormorants on sport fish, aquaculture operations, vegetation, and other colonial waterbirds; (3) discuss options available to resolve human–cormorant conflicts and biological, social, economic, and political issues related to cormorant population control; (4) identify information needs (monitoring and research) related to cormorant management; and (5) enhance communication and coordination among all entities concerned about cormorants and the resources they can impact. Our emphasis is on the Midwest, but it is clear that migrant cormorants from other areas pass through this region and that all of these birds mix on the wintering grounds in the Southern United States