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A Management Strategy for Oneida Lake and its ... - CNY RPDB Home

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taking over nest sites or by destroying woody<br />

vegetation that is essential <strong>for</strong> nesting.<br />

Specifically, loss of nesting habitat due to<br />

competition from cormorants on Long,<br />

Wantry, <strong>and</strong> Little Isl<strong>and</strong>s has been detrimental<br />

to the common tern population, a New<br />

York State-listed threatened species.<br />

Since 1998 the NYS DEC has managed the<br />

number of breeding cormorants on <strong>Oneida</strong><br />

<strong>Lake</strong> by limiting reproduction through destruction<br />

of nests <strong>and</strong> treating eggs (with<br />

vegetable oil). The strategy was designed to<br />

reach a population goal of no more than 100<br />

successful breeding pairs each year. This has<br />

been carried out under a permit issued by the<br />

U.S. Fish <strong>and</strong> Wildlife Service to reduce<br />

competition between cormorants <strong>and</strong> nesting<br />

common terns. In 2003 there were approximately<br />

300 nesting pairs of cormorants on<br />

Long Isl<strong>and</strong>. Cormorants were kept off the<br />

other isl<strong>and</strong>s by exclusion devices (e.g.<br />

fencing, mylar tape, pyrotechnics) <strong>and</strong> nest<br />

destruction.<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

Participating Organizations<br />

Citizen Task Force on Cormorants<br />

Cornell University<br />

NYS Department of Environmental<br />

Conservation, Division of Fish, Wildlife<br />

<strong>and</strong> Marine Resources<br />

<strong>Oneida</strong> <strong>Lake</strong> Association<br />

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Wildlife<br />

Services / Animal <strong>and</strong> Plant Heath<br />

Inspection Service<br />

United States Fish <strong>and</strong> Wildlife Service<br />

United States Geological Survey<br />

Current Programs, Regulations<br />

<strong>and</strong> Guidelines<br />

Regulations: The Migratory Bird Treaty<br />

Act, originally passed in 1918, provides<br />

protection <strong>for</strong> migratory birds. Under the Act,<br />

it is unlawful to take, import, export, possess,<br />

buy, sell, purchase, or barter any migratory<br />

bird. Feathers or other parts, nests, eggs, <strong>and</strong><br />

products made from migratory birds are also<br />

covered by the Act. “Take” is defined as<br />

pursuing, hunting, shooting, poisoning,<br />

wounding, killing, capturing, trapping, or<br />

collecting. It is legal to hunt under this act<br />

during the designated seasons or with a<br />

permit. Amendments to the Act in 1972<br />

af<strong>for</strong>ded protection to the double-crested<br />

cormorant.<br />

Programs <strong>and</strong> Guidelines: A Citizen<br />

Task Force was convened in 1994 by NYS<br />

DEC to develop management objectives <strong>for</strong><br />

the double-crested cormorant on <strong>Lake</strong> Ontario<br />

<strong>and</strong> <strong>Oneida</strong> <strong>Lake</strong>. The Task Force was made<br />

up of individuals representing sport fishermen,<br />

tourism, environmental interests <strong>and</strong> other<br />

stakeholders.<br />

In 1998, the fall hazing program began under<br />

USDA Wildlife Services <strong>and</strong> NYS DEC<br />

Division of Fish, Wildlife <strong>and</strong> Marine Resources.<br />

The aggressive harassment program<br />

discourages cormorants from stopping over<br />

<strong>and</strong> reduces their time spent on <strong>Oneida</strong> <strong>Lake</strong>.<br />

In addition, nests are destroyed <strong>and</strong> eggs are<br />

treated to limit cormorant reproduction on<br />

<strong>Oneida</strong> <strong>Lake</strong>. It has been effective in moving<br />

birds off <strong>Oneida</strong> <strong>Lake</strong> during the first week of<br />

September (one month earlier than natural<br />

migration occurs). The NYS DEC <strong>and</strong> the<br />

USDA Wildlife Services Unit have also<br />

investigated the use of sound <strong>and</strong> visual<br />

deterrents to alter cormorant migration <strong>and</strong><br />

roosting patterns on <strong>Oneida</strong> <strong>Lake</strong>.<br />

The U.S. Fish <strong>and</strong> Wildlife Service released a<br />

Final Rule <strong>and</strong> Record of Decision in October<br />

2003 that allows more flexibility in the control<br />

of cormorants in areas where they are causing<br />

damage to public resources such as fisheries,<br />

vegetation, <strong>and</strong> other wildlife. The rule allows<br />

state wildlife agencies, Tribal governments,<br />

<strong>and</strong> USDA Wildlife Services to manage<br />

cormorants without having to obtain individual<br />

annual perm<strong>its</strong>; however they must<br />

Chapter 3: Priority Areas page 71

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