A species protected at national and European level
The Great Cormorant is a protected species at national level. At European level, it also benefits from the general protection regime for all bird species referred to in Article 1 of Directive 2009/147/EC of November 30, 2009 on the conservation of wild birds. The subspecies authorized for destruction (Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis) is native to freshwater, and its range had been progressively reduced by heavy shooting, until the species was protected in the 1970s. Since then, the average number of Great Cormorants has risen to a relatively stable level since 2013, estimated at around 100,000 individuals.
It should be noted that a system of derogations from strict protection allows destruction operations to be carried out if the conditions for derogation are met. The aim of these derogations is not to regulate the species, but to reduce predation in specific areas. A meagre means of attempting to control the impact of the Great Cormorant on protected fish species in rivers and lakes, and on pond fish farms.
An increased threshold
The aim of this new regulation is to increase the authorized destruction ceilings. Many fish species are threatened by the intense predation of large cormorants throughout the country. Many rivers and lakes have been colonized by large cormorants, and their predation needs to be controlled to maintain a diverse and abundant fish population.
The new threshold aims to regulate the Great Cormorant population by proposing a single maximum set at 20% of the departmental population counted. These ceilings are to be set by the prefects. As for fish farmers, it will be proposed to extend their right to destroy cormorants until April 30.
This draft "cormorant" decree is currently open to public consultation until November 8, 2024. This consultation is the final stage before publication of the text.
To take part in the consultation click here .
