To provide guidance for responding to requests for assistance with conflicts caused by double-crested cormorants as directed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) Double-crested Cormorant Depredation Order.

The primary responsibility for double-crested cormorant management rests with the FWS and State authorities. However, because of the WS mandate to cooperate with other government and private entities, WS’s expertise in wildlife damage management, the seriousness of the problem, guidelines for addressing requests for assistance with cormorant damage to aquaculture facilities is desirable.

The FWS published the Double-crested Cormorant Depredation Order on March 4, 1998. The depredation order is designed to provide aquaculturists the opportunity to take depredating cormorants from aquaculture facilities without obtaining a migratory bird take permit. This policy is developed to assist WS employees in implementing the recently published Depredation Order. As defined by 50 CFR 21.47, the geographical scope of this depredation order is limited, therefore only the following States are included in the depredation order; Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas.

Wildlife Services will assist aquaculture producers in resolving double-crested cormorant depredation problems. Assistance may be in the form of technical assistance, direct control, or both.

In regards to the double-crested cormorant depredation order (March 4, 1998), WS responsibilities are defined as follows:

1. Aquaculture producers who, prior to March 4, 1998, (1) held cormorant depredation permits from the FWS and (2) had ADC Form 37s completed by Wildlife Services will be considered certified to take cormorants.

2. Aquaculture producers reporting depredation by cormorants and contacting WS after March 4, 1998, will be certified to take cormorants in the following way:

(a) WS will investigate the damage situation. On-site damage assessments may be conducted, as appropriate, to obtain information on which to base control recommendations.

(b) WS will advise producers that an established non-lethal harassment program must be in place before lethal actions are implemented.

(c) WS will complete an ADC Form 37, listing cormorants as a depredating species in Block 7. If appropriate, a statement will be added to Block 9 stating that WS recommends the take of cormorants under authority of the cormorant depredation order to supplement non-lethal harassment measures.

(d) WS will provide a copy of ADC Form 37 to the producer as documentation of the certification. A copy will be retained in the WS office. A copy will be provided to the FWS upon receipt.

3. Any cormorants directly taken by WS as a result of this depredation order will be reported as a part of the information included in the MIS annual report.

4. WS employees will continue to adhere to all applicable Federal, State, and local laws and regulations.