A fisheries take on the fishy decision to implement a Double-crested Cormorant cull in Ontario

[摘要] I thoroughly enjoyed reading the candid editorial by KeithHobson (Hobson 2021) where he thoughtfully explored themisguided genesis of the province-wide Double-crestedCormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus) cull instituted in Ontario,Canada, in 2020. The editorial was aptly published in an avianconservation journal and was authored by an expert in avianecology. At the end of the editorial Hobson welcomed lucid,evidence-based rebuttals. As a fish ecologist there is nothing inthe article that I wish to rebut. Rather, I wish to amplify themessage and do so from the perspective of the fish. Much of thecommentary, news, and advocacy arising from this issue has comefrom those with deep expertise and connections to birds. Yet, giventhat the primary reason given for the cull tends to be rooted infisheries science, it only makes sense that the fisheries sciencecommunity also weighs in. I am also a strong advocate forevidence-based conservation and environmental management,which is highly relevant to this unique example where evidence isnotably absent. Below I make four key points.

[学科分类] 口腔科学

[关键词] cormorant;cull;evidence;fish;resource management