* Natural England acknowledges Cormorant numbers are in decline but rejects plans for independent monitoring of culls
* In spite of warnings that licences might be facilitating illegal hunting.... Natural England has acknowledged a decline in the Cormorant population but has rejected our plan to monitor the culling of the birds. This in spite of our warning that illegal hunting may be contributing to the downturn in the birds population. The story so far.... Earlier in the summer I alerted Natural England to accounts of illegal shooting of Cormorants, being facilitated through misuse of their own lethal control licences. I'd discovered that members of an online forum had been openly discussing anecdotal illegal use of the licences at inland fisheries and angling clubs across the country, where the birds are culled to protect fish stocks. At that time Natural England seemed concerned by this, their Head of Wildlife Licensing going so far as asking my advice on how they could address the problem. "I would be very keen to hear your views on how NE might access data intelligence to monitor cormorant licensing better," he told me, adding that, "Intelligence and information from members of the public etc is critical in helping NE with its compliance/enforcement activity. We often visit sites as a result of information we receive". So, back in June I proposed a plan to overhaul the Cormorant licences, and I had an assurance from Natural England that it had their attention: "We are considering how we might evaluate changes to cormorant licensing.... some early views which we will try and develop. Reform/change might take some time to do alongside our other licensing priorities.... but I want to reassure you this has our attention." Plan rejected I remained optimistic over the summer, even through significant staff changes at Natural England, which saw two new faces heading the licensing department, but then last week I had a very disappointing update from them and an outright rejection of our proposals. It was a disappointing and lacklustre response. While acknowledging that Cormorant numbers are in decline, Natural England have now dismissed our call for better, independent monitoring of culls - in spite of the suggestions that their own licences are being used illegally. "We do not know the reason for the decline" Natural England recognise the dwindling numbers of Cormorants but said they 'don't know' the reason for the species decline in recent years. They told me, "it is important to note that we do not know the reason for the recent decline", adding that "we will continue to monitor the situation and adjust licensing levels accordingly". I believe the reasons for the Cormorant's decline might actually be very clear indeed. Unmonitored shooting 'out of control' The shooting of Cormorants in England is largely underregulated, unmonitored and apparently out of control. Some of those hunters tasked with killing Cormorants under licences issued by Natural England might be doing so with scant regard for their legal obligations, perhaps killing many more of the birds than is legally permitted. The plan I put forward to tackle this problem was based on suggestions from readers of my blog and supported by members of our campaign which now has nearly 400,000 signatures. Our plan would have enabled the public to report potentially criminal misuse of licences and required police checks on those carrying out the culls. This has been dismissed by Natural England. They explained: "While we understand the public interest in licensed control of wildlife, advertising of specific dates and locations of shooting is unlikely to result in positive debate or understanding and is unlikely to be supported by the Police." They didn't elaborate further except to say, "on the suggestion that Natural England licences should be checked by the Police for suitability of those licensed to shoot, this is not a responsibility that the Police will be able to take on in addition to their issue of Firearms Certificates, determining the use permitted in each case". "Trend shows an increase in birds" In an attempt to justify their continuing policy of culling Cormorants, Natural England says "the 25-year trend shows an increase of 50%, and the 10-year trend shows a smaller increase of 23%" But, however they try to dress it up, Cormorant numbers are now in decline. With apparently little or no monitoring of the Cormorant culls and Natural England dismissing hopes for public and/or police involvement, the government agency gives the unfortunate impression that it puts the interests of anglers and fisheries above the wildlife it claims to protect. An 'emotive' issue In conclusion, Natural England told me, "We understand that the control of wild birds is an emotive issue, however as a regulator we must ensure we carry out our duties in accordance with the legislation and Defra policy which will result in licences being issued where the tests have been met." Public have lost confidence in Natural England But it's clear to me that Natural England has lost the confidence of the public and should not underestimate the power of public opinion. I've now asked Natural England what, if any, monitoring they have (or intend to) put in place to combat this potentially illegal shooting of the birds. They said they would get back to me and I'm awaiting their response. Meanwhile our campaign to protect all wild birds continues, please sign and share the petition HERE.
Photo by Amee Fairbank-Brown on Unsplash
29 Comments
20/11/2022 12:10:34 pm
It's been all too clear for years that Natural England is unfit for purpose and its closure could save the taxpayer a great deal every year.
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Lynette James
20/11/2022 12:22:38 pm
I agree wholeheartedly. Time to get rid of Natural England. What have they ever actually done for wildlife?
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Geoffrey Hickin
20/11/2022 06:16:01 pm
I couldn't have put it better, we need to get rid of natural England because theres nothing natural about it at all!
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Peter Hillier
20/11/2022 12:14:19 pm
Bastards, we urgently need to cull Natural England instead of our lovely Cormorants and other Species……
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Thelma Hornibrook
20/11/2022 06:05:12 pm
Exactly! A good idea!
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Sue Willis
20/11/2022 07:17:58 pm
Hi Peter,
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Julia Hart
20/11/2022 12:32:25 pm
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Lenn Morris
20/11/2022 12:34:25 pm
What is the view of the RSPB?
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Don Chetland
20/11/2022 12:58:18 pm
Has anybody managed to link the names of the people who run Natural England with vested interests? Seems obvious to me that if there's an organisation running projects benefitting nature but against the interests of big landowners - take it over an neuter it. We've already heard of game-keepers on land given over to game shooting wiping out rare birds of prey. There's no come back.
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Lise Hertel
20/11/2022 12:58:33 pm
whats the RSPB doing about it? They finally got radical recently- and well done to them- but surely they should be doing something too? I'm a member and I havent seen anything in their mailings etc.
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20/11/2022 01:39:40 pm
in a world were child abuse is 20% of a multi-billion dollar industry animals and birds as important as they are are not going to register with a world are cruel and corrupt as the world we live in
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Simon George Spratt
20/11/2022 02:07:28 pm
Natural England? Is that a Government Department? If so, they should be ashamed of themselves and resign IMMEDIATELY!!!! Fancy having a cull on cormorants, of all birds!! And these bastards give themselves airs and graces being part of a Government Department!!!
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Maggie Harris
20/11/2022 02:24:50 pm
How dissapointing, but almost predictable. Who are the individuals and their associates who dominate Natural England?
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Tony Jeffery
20/11/2022 02:59:09 pm
It's a government department so what should we expect. The Tories run down everything into the ground. They have never been concerned with people
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20/11/2022 03:14:56 pm
I do not know anything about birds, but, living in West Yorkshire, even I am aware that I see almost no birds, other than Jackdaws and Crows. It seems to me that appealing to an organization which appears to have a vested interest in the culling of Cormorants, would appear to be a waste of time. I would blitz every charity in the UK which acts in the interests of wildlife. IFAW (International Fund For Animal Welfare) in particular comes to mind, as they are an extremely effective charity with astrong lobbying history. Speak too to your MP - he may have a personal interest in birds; many people do - and contact DEFRA. They may be a pain-in-the-arse with all their rules and regulations, but their word is law: literally! Google luck with your campaign. Cormorants are amazing birds and deserve their place in nature. Please send me updates. Your 'Notify me of new comments' button does not work.
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Michael Williams
20/11/2022 03:48:05 pm
Every time there is a change in Natural Englans, they make moves to prove that they're not fit for purbose. Their paperwork should be wadded into a large ball and binned, followed by the members themselves. appoint the nations Game Keepers to do their job, a job they are more than capable of doing as this is their livelihood!
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alan doherty
20/11/2022 04:18:57 pm
Terrible picking on Cormorants to satisfy the fishermen, Cormorants and other birds have every right to hunt for food without being shot
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Robert Johnson
20/11/2022 04:46:38 pm
Yet another lazy and ignorant government department. Who are these people and who do they represent? There seems to be a war with nature and the real conservationists. Yet another aspect of the destruction of this once beautiful country and it's way of life. Welcome to Clownworld.
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20/11/2022 04:49:04 pm
Such a shame. The ethos was changing when I left, this was in the days of the NCC (forerunner to EN and NE). They were starting to employ non-naturalist college types and career climbers.
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Thelma Hornibrook
20/11/2022 06:03:24 pm
Disgraceful. I thoroughly agree with all the comments. They are a bunch of selfish scumbags. We need to rid ourselves of this useless bunch and install some people with compassion, commonsense and above all a brain!
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Heather Douglas
20/11/2022 06:28:44 pm
They do not care about anything and I wonder if it is all just lining their own pockets. These beautiful birds deserve to thrive.
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20/11/2022 06:47:41 pm
Lost Confidence ? Did we ever have it ? This all comes down to DEFRA Which is responsible for Too many things ,but then that is what you get out of this Big is Beautiful Rubbish . when this starts staff who think they are Important Start Empire Building and so it Go's on Until They Do not do what they are there For . Take a Look at rivers ,overflowing and flooding vast areas ,We never seemed to get so much when our rivers were dredged more often ,If this was Carried out and all spoil taken back up river and put on the Land it could be used for more productive farming .And would not end up Flowing out to Sea .Big is Not Beautiful It is All part of Governments And Councils To Have More Control Over us . Which we Must Resist their Lies and Promises Everywhere .
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John Leonard
20/11/2022 07:18:52 pm
Just to balance the argument on the culling of the European Freshwater Cormorant, which is here in vastly greater numbers than it ever was prior to the 1990s, these birds have virtually driven to extinction natural fish populations on some rivers, they act like locusts, strip a water of fish and then move on. Do species like Roach not count because they are not feathery or furry and not generally visible? These are not the cormorants we see on our coast who are living in balance with their environment but a different variety of the species. As much as I generally support your campaign I cannot with regard to the cormorant.
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Sue Willis
20/11/2022 07:30:50 pm
It seems there are people, though few, are heart felt concerned for our wildlife, I cannot understand why there are so many gov. departments that do not seem to be understanding the decline in our environment and of birds and animals. How can so called educated people be so so detached from the basics of life, example nature and what it does and can do for so many people. The world news has become a nightmare and yet when I look around, as
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steve johnson
20/11/2022 08:45:57 pm
Natural England appeasr to be at best, as toothless a regulator as the other government appointed regulators such as: Ofwat and Ofcom. Two others who seem to me to bend over backwards to help those they are supposed to hold to account The badger cull was and is a disgrace and could only be of use to those who want to clear land for development in my opinion. This anti nature regulator will hopefully be scrapped or greatly reformed after the next election. I hold out little hope before that.
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John Bailey
21/11/2022 10:57:13 am
In a world where we are supposed to be encouraging sustainability in order to preserve what's left of our (inland and coastal) ecology - we have Natural England being lobbied (some would say bribed) by those with vested interests into doing their best to destroy what's left
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Steve Beer
21/11/2022 11:17:49 am
'Natural' England representatives are in the pockets of the landowners and pheasant, grouse and partridge shooting communities.
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jacquieline phelps
21/11/2022 06:17:16 pm
I live near a Natural Resourses wildlife site. All I see is the local Big Farmer and his relatives liberating a large portion of land with no recourse. We have tried to stop this but to no avail. The sea/marshland is occupied by some interesting bird species including the occasional cormorant so it gets my anger up to see the abuse of power by a wealthy farmer family on what is supposed to be protected land.
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Derek Stanford
21/11/2022 11:40:39 pm
Welcome to Un-Natural England! Does this not need a full assessment of the numbers and locations of cormorants and then a properly regulated cull if necessary in the appropriate areas, or trapping of the excess birds and relocating them to the areas where numbers are falling.
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