On 03 June 2025, the Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union, in cooperation with the European Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture Advisory Commission (EIFAAC), hosted the first Conference on Management Advice to Reduce Cormorant Predation Impacts in Brussels.
The conference opened with remarks by Deputy Minister for Fisheries of Poland, Jacek Czerniak. It featured contributions from the European Commission and the FAO Liaison office in Brussels Director, Mr Raschad Al-Khafaji.
The event gathered representatives from EU Member States, the European Commission, EIFAAC, and ProtectFish project experts. This including project coordinator Niels Jepsen, Work Package 5 leader Aliénor, and several members of the project’s External Advisory Board.
A timely conference on the cormorant’s impact on protected and endangered fish species
The Great Cormorant has experienced an exponential population growth since the 1980s thanks to its protection under the EU Birds Directive. Today, with over 1.5 million birds across Europe, the species exerts considerable predation pressure on aquatic ecosystems.
During the conference, experts presented the ecological and economic consequences of cormorant predation on inland fisheries and aquaculture. Dr Niels Jepsen (Danish Technical University) presented data about the cormorants’ migration across Europe and increasing impact on inland waters. Dr Raymon van Anrooy (EIFAAC) detailed the resulting economic pressures on fisheries and aquaculture sectors, including the recreational fisheries sector. Finally, Dr Ian Cowx (Angling Trust/University of Hull) outlined the second EIFAAC draft Framework towards the development of a European Management Plan for the Great Cormorant.
Cormorant predation affects locally the recovery of inland fish populations
During the conference, ProtectFish coordinator Niels Jepsen gave a historic overview of the Great Cormorant’s population development, outlined the main hotspot for wildlife conflicts (cormorant-fish populations) and the impacts on EU protected fish species.
On the case of the Grayling – one of the main target species under the ProtectFish project – research shows a loss of up to 80% of total fish biomass in some (Danish) rivers with a 47% reduction of smolts. Between 1998 and 2006, Denmark has invested a huge amount of public money in habitat restoration (dam removal, restoration of river morphology & spawning areas, etc.) with 71 restoration projects. Despite these efforts, freshwater fish populations – in Denmark – did not manage to recover to sustainable levels, cormorant predation now being considered as major driving factor.
Presentation of EIFAAC’s proposal so that “the success of one species does not come at the cost of ecosystem balance”
At the heart of this conference was the proposal for a framework European management plan for the great cormorant. This prepared by EIFAAC.
Prof. Dr. Ian Cowx (University of Hull/Angling Trust) presented the draft framework for an adaptive plan. This plan follows a process of scientific information gathering, analysis and advice, implementation, monitoring and evaluation and which is agreeable to all stakeholders. All this while maintaining the Great Cormorant species’ favourable conservation status.
EIFAAC writes that “Implementation of the plan, if approved, will ensure that the success of one species does not come at the cost of ecosystem balance, endangered fish species, the livelihoods of fishers and farmers, or Europe’s food security. The plan contributes to the implementation of the European Union Water Framework and Habitats Directives, the European Union Farm to Fork Strategy, European Union Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, and the European Union Nature Restoration Regulation.”
The framework underscores the need for a harmonised European strategy. While also learning from successful multi-country bird management initiatives like those for the Svalbard pink-footed goose.
Key Measures of the draft framework include:
- European-wide coordination of cormorant management policies;
- Non-lethal deterrence and habitat adaptation;
- Controlled lethal measures under Birds Directive Article 9, where justified;
- Development of compensation mechanisms for affected stakeholders;
- Enhancing data collection and public awareness initiatives.
Photo credits: Polish Presidency to the Council of the EU
More background information on the event (including presentations)
- EIFAAC | Conference on management advice to reduce cormorant predation impacts – Calendar
- EIFAAC | “Why cormorants need European level management”
- EIFAAC | Managing wildlife balance under the EU Birds Directive
- FAO/EIFAAC (2025). “Draft framework towards development of a European Management Plan for the Great Cormorant”
- EIFAAC Press release | New European plan aims to curb cormorant impacts on fisherie
- Presentation by ProtectFish Coordinator Dr. Niels Jepsen – “Cormorants and fish populations”
- Presentation by Dr. Raymon VanAnrooy (ProtectFish EAB member) “The economic consequences of cormorant predation on fisheries and aquaculture”
- Presentation by Prof. Dr. Ian Cowx (ProtectFish EAB member) “Framework towards the development of a European management plan for the great cormorant”
