Senator Tom Cotton Introduces Amendment to Infrastructure Bill to Support Fish Farmers

Strategic Insights -

Senator Tom Cotton has introduced an amendment to the infrastructure package that would allow fish farmers to protect their ponds from predatory birds, particularly double-crested cormorants. The amendment, known as the Cormorant Relief Act, aims to restore regulations that would enable producers to defend their fish populations from the birds that are causing significant economic losses. Cormorant populations have increased dramatically in recent decades, causing substantial damage and disruption to aquaculture and fishery operations.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Cormorant Relief Act would fully restore the ability of catfish farmers and other aquaculture producers to cull predatory double-crested cormorant populations.
  • The amendment would also restore U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service regulations to allow producers to fight the cormorants, which threaten the livelihoods of aquaculture operations in Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, and other states.
  • Cormorant populations have increased dramatically in recent decades to an estimated 1,031,757 birds.
  • The large water birds primarily feast on fish, causing substantial damage and disruption to aquaculture and fishery operations.
  • A two-year study published in 2012 of double-crested cormorant feeding on farm-raised catfish in Mississippi during the winter months found that cormorant depredation represents an annual estimated economic loss of $34.3 million to $73.4 million.
  • A Government Accountability Office report noted that fish-eating birds can cause severe damage at aquaculture farms, eating catfish, crawfish, salmon, bass, trout, and ornamental fish.
  • A USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) survey of catfish producers from 15 states found that 69% reported some wildlife-caused losses, with a financial loss of $12.5 million to wildlife predation in 1996.

Statistics:

  • The estimated annual economic loss due to cormorant depredation is $34.3 million to $73.4 million.
  • Cormorant populations have increased to an estimated 1,031,757 birds.
  • 69% of catfish producers reported wildlife-caused losses, with a financial loss of $12.5 million to wildlife predation in 1996.
  • The Cormorant Relief Act aims to support aquaculture operations in states including Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, and other states.

Sources:

  • For immediate release, contact: James Arnold or Mary Collins Atkinson (202) 224-2353, August 3, 2021
  • United States Senator for Arkansas Tom Cotton, For Immediate Release, August 3, 2021
  • Government Accountability Office report
  • USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) survey of catfish producers
  • Two-year study published in 2012 of double-crested cormorant feeding on farm-raised catfish in Mississippi during the winter months.