Judge Stops Lethal Cormorant Control
LAKE HURON CITIZENS’
FISHERY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
By Capt. Terry R. Walsh – Past President
US DISTRICT JUDGE STOPS LETHAL CORMORANT CONTROL
A US District judge has stopped the abilities of the states to effectively manage cormorant control through lethal means. As a migratory bird, cormorants are under the jurisdiction of the US Fish and Wildlife Service ((FWS). Public Resources Depredation Order (PRDO) issued by FWS had been essential in a effort to control what has become a national menace to both commercial and recreational fisheries across the United States.
The complainant in the case was a group called PEER. The FWS was the defendant. At present it is not know whether FWS will appeal the judge’s order. This is another classic example of “tree hugger mentality” interfering with modern-day scientific wildlife management. If this case is not appealed and effectively overturned it will add continued energy and momentum to other groups like PEER, whose sole aim is to stop all hunting and fishing in general. 8
DNR LAUNCHES
NEW RESEARCH VESSEL
By Capt. Terry R. Walsh
Lake Huron’s new fisheries research vessel was officially christened the R/V TANNER during ceremonies held May 23 at the Alpena Fisheries Research Station in Alpena. The vessel is named in honor of Dr. Howard A. Tanner, former Fisheries Division Chief and DNR Director.
The R/V TANNER replaces the 69-year-old R/V CHINOOK, the department’s oldest research vessel, which began life as a reconverted commercial fishing boat. The R/V TANNER was designed by Seacraft Design of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin and built by Anderson Boat Works here in Saugatuck. The 57-foot long R/V TANNER is a state-of-the-art research vessel.
“This vessel was a long time coming,” said DNR Fisheries Division Chief Jim Dexter. “The R/V TANNER will allow the Alpena Fisheries Research Station and its staff to continue to survey fish populations in Lake Huron and the St. Marys River with greatly improved equipment that will expand their abilities to examine and monitor this world-class fishery.”
The R/V TANNER is one of four research vessels used to examine and monitor Great Lakes fish and aquatic communities. The information gathered is essential in supporting the department’s mission “To conserve, protect and manage the billion dollar Great Lakes fishery resource for the use and enjoyment of current and future generations.”
