The Cormorant issue CGBN Co-ordination Group for Biodiversity and Nature 2nd meeting - 27/06/08 The Cormorant issue

Background 3 species of Cormorant covered by general protection scheme of the Birds Directive: P. Carbo, P. Aristotelis, P. pygmaeus Deliberate capture, killing, disturbance, destruction of nests, taking of eggs prohibited (Art. 5) – unless derogation scheme (Art. 9) P. Carbo sinensis initially listed in Annex I – then removed as considered in favourable conservation status

Approach to problems of Cormorants, including fisheries The Commission is aware that there are conflicts between fishermen and Cormorants in certain parts of the Community. Member States can make full use of the derogations provisions of the Birds Directive to prevent serious damage by cormorants to fisheries, where this is justified in the absence of alternative solutions. Less aware of any significant conflicts with other species and habitats of conservation importance but the derogation provisions of the Directive are equally applicable for the protection of fauna and flora. According to MS reports, derogations are being widely used

Pro-active approaches - Research The Commission encourages cooperation between MSs to tackle the problem of damage caused by Cormorants to fisheries. The EC has supported multinational cooperative research projects (REDCAFE completed) Ongoing INTERCAFE project aims at improving communication and sharing scientific knowledge on cormorant-fisheries interactions, with involvement of local people and stakeholders. The extension of the SHI to the angling community will also enable to discuss the issue with stakeholders.

Pan-European plan to control the species? The Cormorant issue increasingly raised by fisheries/aquaculture organisations and the EP Argue that local measures and derogations are ineffective, call for a pan-European management plan to control Cormorants However, a previous attempt for such a plan under the Bonn Convention failed The Birds Directive does not provide for internationally binding plans for species such as P. carbo, control measures are MS competence

Next steps Is further action at EU level needed to control Cormorant populations? What type of action? Possibility to build on results of INTERCAFE project