The relationship between cormorant and fish populations at two fisheries in England: An overview
Authors: Davies, J.M., Holden, T., Feltham, M.J., Wilson, B.R., Britton, J.R., Harvey, J.P. and Cowx, I.G.
Pages: 28-42
Abstract:This chapter examines the extent to which wintering cormorants, Phalacrocorax carbo (L.), are responsible for changes in fish populations, relative to other factors, at two fisheries in England. The conclusion is that the results, like many others that have estimated the impact of fish-eating birds, are equivocal. The reasons for this are: (i) the complex nature of these systems; (ii) difficulties in relating cormorant depredation to changes in fishery performance; and (iii) separating the effects of piscivorous birds from other factors affecting fish populations. The chapter concludes with recommendations for the way in which investigations examining the relationships between fish-eating birds and fisheries are made, and stresses the importance of adopting a holistic approach to such studies.
Source: Scopus