Cormorants

There were at least a 1,000 cormorants in middle west bay today. Isn't it about time that the government does something to control their growth on the lake?

Per the 2014 'Lake Nipissing Fisheries Management Plan'...the first evidence of double crested cormorants breeding on Nipissing was noted in the early 1980's....they are not native to the lake (which is the same for many other inland lakes throughout Quebec, Ontario and Manitoba).
In 1993 there was approximately 100 breeding nests on lake Nipissing...by 2013 the number of breeding nets was estimated by the OMNRF at 3000.
One adult cormorant eats about a pound of fish per day and dietary studies indicate they will eat 7 perch for each walleye (perch being one of the preferred fish species, of many, they consume).
The double crested cormorant is not a game bird, so there is no hunting or trapping season for the species. Originally, they were protected under the 1997 Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act (FWCA) as a species 'wild by nature' (meaning no one could destroy, take or possess their nests or eggs).
In 2016, through the Ontario legislature (under private members Bill 205), an amendment was introduced to the 1997 FWCA....to permit hunting and trapping of double crested cormorants.
Here's everything you pretty much need to know (courtesy of the OFAH) about double crested cormorants...and their current status/situation in Ontario.

https://www.ofah.org/wp-content/uploads/201...ntrol-in-ON.pdf

Yu up,Its way over due BUT Gov't's are pretty much useless wimpy money wasters.I heard Nipissing has one of the biggest mess of those fish eating, island destroying vultures

They tend to get in the way of the boat when I am boating down on Georgian Bay...

It is an unfortunate situation that may never be addressed as long as the power base for the Province of Ontario lies in Toronto, south of Highway 7. Most, not all, have no clue what happens in this province, unless it involves them.

The spring bear hunt was directed and controlled by Toronto, not people actually living in the north.

In my HUMBLE opinion nothing will get done except costly reviews that will sit on a shelf collecting dust.

All someone really have to do is live trap a few raccoons and skunk and place them on those island just before breeding season. They lay eggs on the ground and those raccoons and skunk will eat them up. Don't get caught!

I know you were only half serious when you said this, but you have to remember that there is also an active heron rookery there so this is a no go.
If I'm understanding this correctly, it looks like this bill is almost ready for royal assent so then the hunters will be able bring them under control.
http://www.ontla.on.ca/web/bills/bills_det...detail_the_bill

buddy, I believe Bill 205 may have died at the committee level after 2nd reading, sometime last fall.
I'm not sure if it's been resurrected or reintroduced. Maybe someone closer to the specific legislation would know more.

https://www.ofah.org/issues/cormorants/

Thanks for the clarification Grumpa.

As per usual, Grumpa is correct. When our dear Premier prorogued parliament because it wasn't going her way, all the private members bills were lost, not just this one.

ANOTHER REASON TO VOTE NEST ELECTION!!!