Petition calls for action to minimise threat of Goosanders, Mergansers and Cormorants to migrating salmon

                                                         

Goosanders

MPs are to discuss whether the go-ahead should be given for "management" (= culling) of  Goosanders, Red-breasted Mergansers and Cormorants in areas where they are perceived to be a threat to fish stocks.

A debate is triggered if a petition reaches 10,000 signatures.

Well before deadline of Boxing Day this year, this figure has easily been surpassed for the petition which states:  

"Amend Schedule 2.1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 to list Cormorants, Goosanders and Red-breasted Mergansers that they may be managed, enabling proportionate control to protect inland fisheries and migratory fish populations where serious damage is evidenced.

"Evidence points to Atlantic salmon being at crisis point - around 90 per cent of principal salmon rivers in England are now classified as at risk and declared catches are at their lowest since records began.

"Millions invested in river restoration are being undermined by predation. Coarse fisheries are also under threat.

"We believe Natural England licensing is too slow for fisheries managers to respond effectively. 

"Adding these species to Schedule 2.1 will in our view enable targeted, evidence-based management to protect inland fish stocks."

Cormorant

                                                            

Red-breasted Merganser