1. Cormorant predation is the major
factor behind the drastic decline in Oneida's
walleyed pike population. The birds' feeding
has destroyed hundreds of thousands of walleyes
in the 1990's.
2. Cormorants are also responsible for
severe reductions in our lake's yellow
perch population. The number of adult perch
hovers around 700,000--a fraction of its
former self. In some years, the birds have
consumed more than 200,000 perch that had
reached age 2--a size at which they have
an excellent chance of surviving to adulthood.
The perch death toll from cormorant predation
throughout the 1990's extends well into
the millions.
3. Poor fishing has resulted from reduced
walleye and perch populations. Poor fishing
translates into economic losses. Marinas,
motels, restaurants, and bait/tackle stores
in the lake region have experienced economic
hardships. The OLA submitted a detailed
economic analysis of 15 marinas on Oneida
Lake. This report documented nearly $1,000,000
lost every year to the area's economy because
anglers had left these marinas. The report
stressed that this loss is but a fraction
of the total amount lost by the region
because of the bad fishing brought on by
cormorants' predation. The OLA gave the
Fish and Wildlife Service several copies
of this report.
4. The cormorant colonies on Wantry
and Long Islands have destroyed much
of those isles' vegetation. Wantry, in
particular, bears the appearance of a "cormorant guano
wasteland", and anyone approaching the
islands from their downwind side had best
be prepared for some memorable odors.
5. The Oneida
Lake Association is committed to the
cause of eliminating cormorant predation
on the lake. The Association strongly believes
in working through the legal channels of
the Fish and Wildlife Service and condemns
any vigilante efforts at harassing or harvesting
cormorants.
