A few days ago the Tuscany Region approved the Control plan for the Cormorant species (Phalacrocorax carbo) with resolution n ° 1132 of 15 October 2018 valid until 15 March 2021. Good news for operators in the fishing sector which provides for the operational contribution in the control activities of supervisory agents art. 51 and authorized hunters pursuant to article 37 LR 3/94. There Confederation of Tuscan Hunters wants to emphasize the importance of this measure, approved by the regional government, as it responds to a correct approach which, through control actions, aims to limit the impact of wild and opportunistic species on productive activities.
The Plan aims to limit the considerable damage caused by the cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) in the Tuscany Region, in particular to professional fishing activities in the Orbetello Lagoon, to some extensive freshwater fish farms, as well as to those of sport fishing in the reservoirs. private. In the Tuscany Region in the last 20 years the presence of the cormorant during the winter months has experienced a progressive increase, as attested by the IWC census data edited by the Tuscan Ornithological Center. It is known that these animals during the daytime are concentrated in the feeding areas, favoring those bodies of water where there is a good presence of fish fauna, reaching an average of 400-500g / day per individual. Naturally, at a local level, this phenomenon can lead to significant impacts on fish fauna, in particular in artificial reservoirs, which the colony of cormorants can attend continuously throughout the winter season to determine a consistent decline in the fish population.
Over the years the increase in the number of wintering cormorants in the area has increased significantly, not infrequently in the period October - February the contingents of cormorants that feed in the lagoon exceeds 3000 individuals. The predatory impact was assessed with two specific studies (annexed to this plan) which estimated a fish catch varying between 60 and 70 tons per season (the composition is detectable by the studies) for an economic damage varying between 70 and € 90 per year. In the current state of knowledge and available equipment and technologies, we therefore believe that the only solution that can have a certain dissuasive effect is shooting with a firearm to be carried out in particular points of the lagoon both from the mainland and from boats anchored in the points of greatest concentration of predation.
The Regional Cormorant Control Plan will be implemented through localized interventions that require the adoption of methods of particular selectivity and efficacy of action and that at the same time cause the least possible disturbance to the wildlife not subject to the intervention, using the staff of the Provincial Police, Volunteer Hunting Security Guards and operators authorized to control fauna pursuant to art. 37 LR 3/94. Based on art. 19 of Law 157/92 and art. 37 LR 3/94 and its amendments and additions, the control operations can be carried out with the direct presence of a supervisory officer referred to in Article 51 LR 3/94 and under the coordination of the Provincial Police Corps. For the implementation of the plan, the Provincial Police may make use of the same guards referred to in Article 51, provided that the subjects in question are in possession of a hunting license, as well as hunters authorized to exercise control actions pursuant to Article 37 of the LR 3 / 94. Such entities can participate in maximum number of 10 people by intervention, following the instructions given by the Provincial Police, subject to the acceptance of the operating procedures specifically provided for.