Briefing - Impact of cormorant predation on EU fisheries and aquaculture - 20-01-2026
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The great cormorant is a highly mobile, fish-eating bird that has a significant and widespread impact on fish stocks and aquaculture sites. Due to its predation impact, the cormorant was heavily persecuted in the 19th and early 20th centuries, but has been aBriefing - Impact of cormorant predation on EU fisheries and aquaculture - 20-01-2026
The great cormorant is a highly mobile, fish-eating bird that has a significant and widespread impact on fish stocks and aquaculture sites. Due to its predation impact, the cormorant was heavily persecuted in the 19th and early 20th centuries, but has been a protected species since the European Union Birds Directive came into force in 1979. Its population has grown significantly since then. While the bird cannot be hunted, the Birds Directive permits derogations to prevent serious damage to wild fish stocks and fish farms. These derogations are widely used by Member States, in a highly varied manner. The European Parliament called for the adoption of a European cormorant management plan in 2008, to minimise the increasing impact of cormorants on fish stocks, fishing and aquaculture. This request was reiterated in the Parliament's 2018 and 2022 resolutions on aquaculture. Similarly, at Council meetings in September and October 2025, several Member States urged the European Commission to coordinate EU-wide management of cormorant populations. Following recent discussions, the Commission held a structured dialogue with the Member States in October 2025. In this context, the Commission announced updated guidance on the use of derogations under the Birds Directive. In November 2025, the European Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture Advisory Commission, an intergovernmental fisheries advisory body, published its final framework for a management plan as part of a project co-funded by the EU. The aim of this initiative is to maintain favourable conservation status for the cormorant while protecting fish species and aquaculture fish farms. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP Read more














