Anglers are calling for action to deal with the impact of the birds on inland fisheries.
Although it is widely regarded as a coastal and sea bird, the cormorant can now be found in ever increasing numbers at lakes and gravel pits in Britain.
The problem is how to stop them raiding fish stocks at favourite angling spots – an issue that will be raised at the Defra conference in Bristol.
The birds are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and can only be killed under licence.
But while some fishermen are calling for a cull, early trials with fish refuges – work paid for by the Government – suggests this might be a way of reducing levels of damage to fish.
Details of the research will be debated at the conference and it seems initial results are encouraging.
While angling groups are worried about fish stocks, conservation groups fear any widespread effort to control cormorant numbers could threaten the bird’s conservation status.
Cormorant populations across Europe have been increasing for several decades and it is estimated that 10,000 winter inland in the UK, while there are about 3.4 million coarse fishermen.
A committee chaired by Lord Moran represents 13 of the major fisheries and angling organisations in England and Wales and now holds regular discussions with the RSPB, English Nature and the Environment Agency to discuss ways of dealing with the cormorant problem.
The committee has accepted there cannot be a shooting ‘free-for-all’ and they must work within the licensing system.But some anglers continue to call for a cull.
