EFFOP Welcomes New Framework for a European Management Plan for the Great Cormorant

The European Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture Advisory Commission (EIFAAC) has published the Framework for a European Management Plan for the Great Cormorant. This initiative responds to decades of escalating conflicts between growing cormorant populations and fisheries, aquaculture, and aquatic biodiversity across Europe.

Cormorants, protected under the EU Birds Directive, have seen their numbers rise dramatically since the 1980s. While this represents a conservation success, it has led to severe challenges for inland and coastal fisheries and aquaculture. Current estimates suggest that cormorants consume approximately 365,000 tonnes of fish annually in Europe, causing significant ecological and economic impacts. Losses to aquaculture and recreational fisheries exceed €350 million per year, and some pond-based farms have become economically unviable.

The framework proposes a coordinated, science-based approach to mitigate these impacts while maintaining the species’ favorable conservation status. Key elements include:

• Cross-border coordination: Local measures have proven ineffective; a unified strategy is needed to address the migratory nature of cormorants.
• Adaptive management: Actions will combine non-lethal deterrents, habitat modifications, and, where justified, regulated lethal control under Article 9 of the Birds Directive.
• Monitoring and data sharing: Establishment of a European data hub for cormorant and fish population trends.
• Compensation and stakeholder engagement: Harmonized systems for damage reporting and compensation, alongside inclusive dialogue among fisheries, aquaculture, and conservation stakeholders.

At EFFOP, we believe this development is highly significant. The framework acknowledges the socioeconomic importance of aquaculture and fisheries and aims to reduce predation pressure that threatens production, biodiversity, and rural livelihoods. It also aligns with EU strategies on food security, biodiversity restoration, and sustainable aquaculture.

Read more here.