How have cormorant numbers changed in Europe over the past 50 years?

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Cormorant Population Surge in Europe Over the Last 50 Years

The population of Europe's great cormorant has experienced a dramatic recovery, shifting from a state of near-extinction to one of overabundance within the span of approximately fifty years. This resurgence has led to significant ecological and economic debates, particularly concerning the impact on fish populations and the calls for population control measures from various European nations.
Historical Decline and Near Extinction

By the early 1960s, the great cormorant population in Europe had dwindled to critically low levels. In key breeding areas such as the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, and Poland, only a few thousand breeding pairs remained. This drastic decline was largely a result of past human efforts to control the species, which included systematic destruction of colonies by fire brigades and military actions, pushing the bird to the brink of extinction.
Protected Status and Population Boom

Following a period of severe decline, the great cormorant was granted protected status in 1979. This conservation measure allowed the species to rebound significantly. Since then, its numbers have soared, with estimates indicating a population of approximately two million birds across Europe by 2026. This recovery has been so successful that it has now led to concerns about overpopulation and its ecological consequences.
Current Concerns and Calls for Action

The substantial increase in cormorant numbers has prompted nine European Union members—Croatia, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Sweden—to formally request a review of the species' protection status. In a note submitted to Brussels in May, these nations urged that the bloc's cormorant population be managed to maintain an "ecologically and economically acceptable level." They highlight the bird's voracious appetite and its significant impact on fish stocks, with some describing the situation as dire and worsening.

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How have cormorant numbers changed in Europe over the past 50 years?

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