Cormorants are large waterbirds that are found along coastlines, rivers, and lakes across North America. In recent decades, some cormorant populations have increased, leading to conflicts with fishermen who believe the birds compete for fish stocks. This has raised questions about whether cormorants should be legally protected or controlled in certain areas. In South Carolina, two species of cormorants occur regularly – the Double-crested Cormorant and the Great Cormorant. Understanding their legal status and protections is important for managing these birds and their interactions with humans.
Are cormorants protected by federal law?
Yes, all cormorant species found in the United States are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918. This federal law makes it illegal to harm, kill, or possess cormorants, their eggs, or nests without a permit. It covers whole birds as well as parts like feathers. The law resulted from agreements between the U.S., Canada, Mexico and later with Japan and Russia to protect birds that migrate across international borders. All native cormorants in South Carolina are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
Are there any exceptions to federal cormorant protections?
There are some limited exceptions that allow lethal control of Double-crested Cormorants in certain situations:
Depredation Orders
Depredation orders are policies issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that allow people to kill or “take” migratory birds to protect property, human health and safety, or natural resources. There are two depredation orders relevant to cormorants:
- The Public Resource Depredation Order allows state wildlife agencies to control cormorants that are damaging public resources like commercially-raised fish stocks or natural vegetation.
- The Aquaculture Depredation Order allows private aquaculture producers in 13 states to kill Double-crested Cormorants if they directly damage their stocks or facilities.
South Carolina is not one of the states covered by the aquaculture depredation order. However, the S.C. Department of Natural Resources can control cormorants under the public resource order with a permit from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Office of Migratory Bird Permits
Government agencies, companies and researchers can apply for permits from the Office of Migratory Bird Permits to take or kill cormorants for specific purposes like protecting humans, agriculture, property, and habitats. Permits may limit how many birds can be killed and require non-lethal alternatives to be considered first. For example, a permit could allow oil companies to destroy cormorant nests on structures to prevent bird droppings from accumulating.
Are there any state laws related to cormorants in South Carolina?
South Carolina has enacted some laws and regulations related to cormorants at the state level:
- The South Carolina Migratory Waterfowl Committee has designated cormorants as a state “detrimental species” along with some other bird species like black vultures. This designation allows the state more flexibility in regulating cormorants.
- Cormorants are excluded from the state’s Nongame and Endangered Species Conservation Act, which protects rare bird species. Since cormorants are officially designated as detrimental and not protected at the state level, they can be managed however the state wildlife agency sees fit.
- The S.C. Department of Natural Resources provides permits to private landowners that allow them to kill cormorants on their property without a federal permit.
So in summary, while cormorants are federally protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, South Carolina has chosen not to provide any additional legal protections at the state level. The state wildlife agency has the authority to manage cormorants as it deems appropriate.
How are cormorant populations managed in South Carolina?
The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources takes several approaches to managing cormorants while operating within federal laws:
Non-lethal harassment
The agency issues permits that allow state employees and private landowners to harass cormorants using non-lethal methods like firearms loaded with blanks, boat motors, and pyrotechnics. Harassment makes the birds avoid an area but does not kill them.
Nest destruction
Workers destroy cormorant nests and eggs on state properties before they contain eggs or young birds, avoiding violation of federal law. This limits reproduction.
Culling programs
With federal approval, the S.C. Department of Natural Resources conducts limited lethal culling programs. Trained sharpshooters kill a set number of adult breeding cormorants each year at specific sites. Culling reduces populations and damage to fish stocks and vegetation.
Coordinating with federal agencies
The state coordinates cormorant management with agencies like the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Services program. This ensures proper permitting of control activities under federal law.
What is the cormorant’s conservation status in South Carolina?
The Double-crested Cormorant has a conservation status of “least concern” in South Carolina according to the state wildlife action plan. Though some populations decreased historically with pesticide use, they rebounded across North America by 1990. The Great Cormorant has a status of “extremely rare” as it is primarily a coastal winter migrant with a few rare inland sightings. Neither species is considered threatened or endangered at the state or federal level currently.
What do cormorant population trends look like in South Carolina?
Double-crested Cormorant numbers have increased significantly in South Carolina since the 1970s:
Year | Estimated breeding pairs |
---|---|
1970s | 100 |
2013 | 30,000-40,000 |
The number of nesting pairs grew by 300 to 400 times over the past several decades, though the rate of growth has slowed in recent years. Christmas Bird Count data indicates wintering cormorant numbers in South Carolina increased by over 600% between 1975 and 2013.
So while they receive federal protection, climbing cormorant populations in South Carolina led state wildlife managers to take advantage of looser regulations and exemptions. Management techniques like culling and nest destruction aim to limit their influence on natural resources and vegetation. Careful monitoring ensures populations don’t drop to concerning levels. The integrated state and federal cormorant management strategy attempts to balance conservation with control of detrimental impacts.
Conclusion
In summary, the Double-crested Cormorant and Great Cormorant are protected migratory bird species under federal law in South Carolina and all U.S. states. However, South Carolina has designated cormorants as a detrimental species and does not provide any additional legal protections. The state Department of Natural Resources conducts non-lethal harassment, nest destruction, limited culling, and coordinates with federal agencies to control cormorant populations. Their numbers have increased dramatically since the 1970s. With careful management, cormorants are not currently threatened or endangered in the state despite limited lethal control and lack of state protections. The integrated federal and state approach aims to balance conservation with minimizing detrimental impacts to fisheries, vegetation and property.