HL Deb 25 January 1995 vol 560 cc83-4WA
Lord Mason of Barnsley

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will co-operate with the Institute of Terrestrial Ecology in updating their report on the numbers of cormorants over-wintering on inland rivers, lakes and reservoirs; and to what extent stillwater trout fisheries are suffering from cormorant predation; and

Whether they are implementing the recommendations of the Conference of Parties to the Bonn Convention regarding the introduction of a management plan to maintain a favourable status for the cormorant and to prevent serious damage by cormorants to fisheries; and

Whether they have been informed of the increasing number of cormorants invading inland fisheries; which organisations have made representations and whether protection of the cormorants should be temporarily lifted to allow a cull of the population.

Viscount Ullswater

Research leading to the development of a long-term strategy for the conservation and management of cormorants and other fish-eating birds is currently under consideration by the Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food and the Department of the Environment. The research will cover cormorant predation in both still water and rivers.

The Fourth Conference of the Parties to the Bonn Convention in June 1994 adopted a recommendation giving guidance on maintaining a favourable conservation status for the cormorant and action to prevent serious damage to fisheries. The Government are following this guidance.

I am aware that cormorant numbers are increasing on inland waters. Representations have been received from a wide range of angling and fishing interests. There is no scientific case for a general cull of the cormorant population but licences will continue to be issued, where justified.