Proposal 3 – Consistency in Au Sable River Trout Fishing Seasons

Proposed Resolution #3

Requires 2/3 Majority

Submitted by: Brian Herbert, Paw Paw Conservation Club
Passed: June 3, 2023 Conservation Policy Board Meeting
Title: Develop a Cormorant Control Program Using Volunteer Licensed Hunters

WHEREAS: As of 2021, The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has authorized the State of Michigan the authority to control cormorant populations by allowing a take of 11,050 cormorants on a depredation permit,

and;

WHEREAS: the lack of funding and manpower has the state of Michigan applying for less than one-half of our authorized number of cormorants on the depredation permit. As a result, in 2022, only 2,800 birds were dispatched, roughly 25% of our permit allowance, which allows the cormorant numbers to keep increasing,

and;

WHEREAS: a recent 2022 Cormorant Consumption Study by Michigan State University shows a significant impact cormorants have on free-swimming fish,

and;

WHEREAS: the 2023 MUCC Convention passed a resolution submitted by Gary Gorniak, Straits Area Sportsmen’s Club, to add cormorant control to the DNR Budget and re-implement 12. the very successful U. S. Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services program of cormorant control utilizing volunteers,

and;

WHEREAS: the 2023 MUCC Convention resolution provided compelling details on the negative impact of cormorants on the gamefish population and economy of Michigan;

and,

WHEREAS: the available workers, to carry out the cormorant control program, are limited even 17. if funding is included in the DNR budget,

and;

WHEREAS: volunteer anglers and hunters are motivated to participate in the cormorant control 19. program, significantly reducing costs for achieving the population harvest goal authorized by the 20. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,

and;

WHEREAS: cormorants are migratory waterfowl and other waterfowl such as ducks, geese,swans, cranes and mergansers are hunted,

and;

WHEREAS: the Michigan DNR and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have the authority to set seasons, and bag limits for migratory waterfowl,

NOW;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: MUCC will work with the Michigan DNR and U.S. Fish and 26. Wildlife Service to create and implement a hunting permit program for volunteer hunters to participate in harvesting cormorants for population management.