HENDERSON HARBOR, New York (WWNY) – The double-crested cormorant population in New York state is growing, and officials say the public can help do something about it.
New York Sea Grant is asking people to record cormorant sightings — including photos and descriptions of bird behavior — at nyseagrant.org/cormorant.
The data could influence how the birds are managed.
Why the birds are a problem
Anglers and fishing businesses along Lake Ontario say the cormorants are taking a toll on fish populations.
“They’re a bird that obviously predates both bait fish and a lot of our sport fish,” said Bill Saiff, of Bill Saiff Outdoors. “We would certainly be doing better from a tourism standpoint if that managed level was lower than it is right now.”
Peter Dayger, a member of the Henderson Harbor Yacht Club, said large flocks of the birds are a common sight.
“Maybe 25 or 30 in a very small area, fishing,” Dayger said. “They’re all diving, and they’re a voracious eater.”
What officials are doing
Stacy Furgal, an ecosystem health specialist with New York Sea Grant, said the birds are legally protected, which limits what can be done.
“They’re a native bird species in New York, migratory, and federally protected,” Furgal said.
In the past, officials have oiled cormorant eggs so they don’t hatch. Other population control methods have also been utilized.
Furgal said the public survey is the next step.
“We’re interested in knowing about the number of birds you observe, what the birds are doing,” Furgal said. “Are they eating fish?”
How your observations could matter
“This information will then be shared with local agencies, local governments, and partners so they can then better inform some of the management strategies that they’re utilizing,” Furgal said.
Furgal said officials hope to gather data for at least a year before sharing results.
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