From the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, by Doug Smith
Concerned that an exploding cormorant population is responsible for a decline in walleye numbers on Leech Lake -- one of Minnesota's most popular angling destinations -- federal sharpshooters this week will begin killing up to 80 percent of the 5,000 adult cormorants nesting there.
Officials say there appears to be a correlation between recent poor walleye fishing and the booming number of fish-eating double-crested cormorants on Leech. The population has jumped from about 150 nesting adults in 1998 to 2,300 in 2003 to more than 5,000 last year. There may be another 3,000 juvenile birds.
"We're pretty convinced they are having a significant impact," said Ron Payer, Department of Natural Resources (DNR) fisheries management chief.
The birds are voracious eaters, each gobbling up about 1 pound of fish daily.
"We estimate they consumed in excess of 1 million pounds of fish last year," said Henry Drewes, DNR regional fisheries manager in Bemidji. "That's a level of predation that wasn't present prior to 1998. There's going to be an effect."
The cormorant culling plan announced Monday is a joint effort among state and federal agencies and the Leech Lake Band of Chippewa. The cormorants nest on Little Pelican Island, which is on the band's reservation. It is a tiny rock outcrop about 100 yards wide by 400 yards long.
Under the plan, federal sharpshooters, hidden in blinds, will use high-powered air rifles to kill about 4,000 of the 5,000 adult cormorants. Authorities wanted to use silencer-equipped .22 rifles, which they said would be more effective, but a bill in the state Legislature allowing their use hasn't been approved and probably won't be in time for the spring nesting season.
Officials can't use shotguns because they don't want to scare the birds away before their numbers can be reduced, and they don't want the birds to move to another lake.
The shooting will be suspended during the fishing opener May 14-15, and a quarter-mile buffer zone will be marked around the island to prevent boaters from approaching. That area will be patrolled by authorities.
Besides shooting cormorants, officials may also "oil" some eggs to prevent them from hatching. But Payer said that won't reduce the current adult population. The estimated cost for the first year is about $50,000.
The shooting probably will only be done through May. Common terns also nest on the island, and officials don't want to disturb their reproduction, said Bill Paul of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Wildlife Services, which will conduct the culling action. The shooting is expected to continue over the next couple of years.
The dead birds will be collected each day and eventually incinerated. The stomach contents of some birds will be studied to determine better which fish they are eating. Officials suspect that perch also make up much of their diet.
Perfect nesting spot
On remote Little Pelican Island, cormorants have a perfect nesting spot. The Leech Lake Band has managed the area for the common tern, said John Ringle, fish and wildlife program director for the band. Predators, including mink and weasel, have been reduced.
"So the cormorants have found a place with abundant food and low predation," he said.
Like resorts and area businesses that depend on anglers, the band also is concerned about a decline in walleye numbers, he said.
"Tribal businesses are involved in tourism, gaming and recreation," he said. "There's some real concern that if the fish aren't here, guests won't be either."
Roy Huddle has similar concerns.
His family has owned Huddle's Resort since 1928, but they've never experienced anything like the cormorant population explosion. He said he watched thousands of cormorants fly past his resort Monday, heading to Little Pelican Island about 4 miles away.
He said walleye anglers have had trouble catching fish the past three years. And that means some anglers aren't returning.
"Our business is down probably 50 percent for opening weekend," he said.
"You don't like to destroy anything in nature, but it's definitely a big part of our problem," he said. "I think the people up here feel these are positive steps. I'm optimistic. But the fix is not going to be instantaneous."
To protect walleye brood stock, the DNR has imposed new fishing regulations this year, allowing a possession of four walleyes (instead of six) and requiring that all walleyes 18 inches to 26 inches be released. One fish over 26 inches will be allowed.
Cormorants have long been considered birds that people love to hate because of their vulture-like appearance and preference for fish. They are federally protected. Their numbers, once on the decline because of chemicals and indiscriminate killing, have rebounded, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recently has allowed their numbers to be controlled.
Last year in Minnesota, about 2,000 were shot by the aquaculture industry -- using special permits -- to protect fish-rearing ponds.
Officials solicited public comments on their plan, and they received opposition from some groups, including the Humane Society of the United States, which has opposed cormorant killings elsewhere.
