Conference paper

CORMORANT – A PROBLEM AND A POSSIBLE SOLUTION

K. Pažur

Abstract

Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) is ichthyophagous bird which has bred in great numbers causing great damages in ponds and open waters after its hunt was fully banned in 1979. Ponds have been led to the treshold of profitabi]ity and open waters have been deserted - fish stock has decreased even for 90% at particular locations.
There have been held numerous meetings on decreasing the damages caused by cormorants, some of them even on the state level but they gave no results. This work suggests a radical and economically acceptable measure by which the number of cormorants shall in a few years be decreased to the number which permits them to exercise its natural function: clearance of water from diseased fish. Damages will not be so great as they are now and the number of cormorants will be ecologically acceptable.
The essence of the measure is following: after cormorants lay their eggs, all trees on which they build their nests should be cut down in few years period. Trees should be cut down perhaps two times in the same year if cormorants lay their eggs again. Thus, a whole generation shall be eliminated from the population. There shall be no damage on trees because they would normally be ruined in two year period because of herbicide effect of cormorants' droppings.
Commissions consisting of qualified experts Cornithologist, agronomist - fish expert, veterinarian - expert for fish blights, forester, environmentalist and perhaps other experts) should be established on the level of individual states as well on the Europian level. The commission should determine the duration of the measure taking into account that the cormorant population doubles every three and half year in existing conditions of total protection. The commission should exercise the control of the population after measure has been carried out.

Keywords

Cormorant; disturbed bioecological balance; preventing the damage; environmental disaster

Hrčak ID:

48125

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/48125

Publication date:

28.12.1996.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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