Proliferation of cormorants

22.7.2013

Question for written answer E-008933-13
to the Commission
Rule 117
Henri Weber (S&D)

The proliferation of cormorants in Europe is giving cause for concern, given the damage caused to (professional and amateur) fish farming in particular. Biodiversity itself is under threat because the large number of these birds leads to the gradual disappearance of other species, some of which are also protected (eels, trout, pike, salmon, etc.).

At EU level, cormorants are protected by Directive 2009/147/EC of 30 November 2009.

Through funding for a project that began on 1 February 2011, it has been possible to set up a platform for the exchange and dissemination of useful technical information by the authorities and stakeholders. Unfortunately, despite the dissemination of good practices and suggested solutions, the number of cormorants is still rising, they are still causing just as much damage and the measures taken by the EU and Member States are not proving to be sufficient.

Given the different situations that exist in the Union, does the Commission intend to improve the measures already taken and to develop more effective actions to control/reduce the cormorant population?

OJ C 87 E, 26/03/2014