What is the primary argument made by nine EU members for easing culling rules?

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Nine EU Members Advocate for Easing Cormorant Culling Rules

Nine European Union member states have formally requested a revision of the bloc's rules governing the culling of great cormorants. Their primary argument centres on the need to manage the bird's population at levels that are both "ecologically and economically acceptable." This plea stems from significant concerns regarding the cormorant's substantial appetite and the detrimental impact its growing numbers have on fish stocks across the continent.
Concerns Over Voracious Appetite and Fish Stock Depletion

The core of the argument presented by Croatia, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Sweden revolves around the cormorant's feeding habits. These birds are described as having a voracious appetite, capable of consuming entire fish populations in unfrozen waters or causing damage that prevents fish survival. This relentless predation is seen as a direct threat to the sustainability of fish populations, impacting both ecological balance and the economic viability of fisheries.
Population Growth and Impact on Fisheries

Since being granted protected status, the great cormorant population in Europe has seen a dramatic increase, with an estimated two million birds by 2026, a stark contrast to the few thousand breeding pairs in the early 1960s. This resurgence has led to situations where large flocks, particularly migrant birds, are reported to cause significant damage. Fishermen have described the impact as a "chainsaw massacre," with annual losses of millions of fish reported in regions like the Danube Delta.
Economic and Ecological Acceptability

The request to ease culling rules is framed around maintaining a balance. The nine member states are not necessarily seeking the eradication of the species but rather a population level that does not undermine the health of aquatic ecosystems or the livelihoods dependent on them. The current situation, they argue, has tipped the scales, necessitating a re-evaluation of protective measures to address the ecological and economic consequences of an overabundant cormorant population.

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What is the primary argument made by nine EU members for easing culling rules?

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