Incorporating Depredation Permits Into Integrated Damage Management Plans for Aquaculture Facilities
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Location
Jackson, Mississippi
Start Date
5-11-1995 12:00 AM
Description
Increasing bird depredation at aquaculture facilities in Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi creates economic hardships for many fish farmers. Solutions to bird depredation at these facilities require the development of integrated damage management plans that will reduce damage levels while insuring minimal impacts to bird populations. Damage management plans developed for fish farmers by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Health Plant Inspection Service, Animal Damage Control (ADC) program always include non-lethal control recommendations. If nonlethal control is ineffective or only marginally effective in reducing damage, the management plans may also recommend the issuance of depredation permits by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). The purpose of the permits is to enhance the effectiveness of non-lethal control methods. Birds typically included on depredation permit requests include double-crested cormorants, great blue herons, and great egrets. Concern has been expressed that depredation permits have negative impacts on the populations of fish-eating birds. However, records from the USFWS indicate that from 1989 - 1993, only 35% - 66% of the birds which fish farmers were authorized to take were actually killed. Despite the fact that some birds are being killed, populations of cormorants, herons, and egrets are increasing.
Recommended Citation
Mastrangelo, P., Sloan, C., & Bruce, K. (1995). Incorporating depredation permits into integrated damage management plans for aquaculture facilities. In Armstrong, J. B. (Ed.), The Seventh Eastern Wildlife Damage Control Conference (pp. 36-43). Jackson, MS: Mississippi State University.
Included in
Incorporating Depredation Permits Into Integrated Damage Management Plans for Aquaculture Facilities
Jackson, Mississippi
Increasing bird depredation at aquaculture facilities in Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi creates economic hardships for many fish farmers. Solutions to bird depredation at these facilities require the development of integrated damage management plans that will reduce damage levels while insuring minimal impacts to bird populations. Damage management plans developed for fish farmers by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Health Plant Inspection Service, Animal Damage Control (ADC) program always include non-lethal control recommendations. If nonlethal control is ineffective or only marginally effective in reducing damage, the management plans may also recommend the issuance of depredation permits by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). The purpose of the permits is to enhance the effectiveness of non-lethal control methods. Birds typically included on depredation permit requests include double-crested cormorants, great blue herons, and great egrets. Concern has been expressed that depredation permits have negative impacts on the populations of fish-eating birds. However, records from the USFWS indicate that from 1989 - 1993, only 35% - 66% of the birds which fish farmers were authorized to take were actually killed. Despite the fact that some birds are being killed, populations of cormorants, herons, and egrets are increasing.