Since their population growth in the Great Lakes, double-crested cormorants are large, black fishing birds that have developed a bad reputation for their nesting habits, droppings that damage habitat and impacts on fish stock.

This fall, the Ontario government has allowed the hunting of these birds, with up to 15 cormorants a day which has raised concerns from conservation groups.

Professor Gail Fraser from York University's Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change describes the role of cormorants in the Great Lakes ecosystems and how cormorant ecology relates to biodiversity conservation. Her research examines issues around the ecology and management of avian wildlife, and the environmental management of offshore oil and gas.

Gail will appear in conversation with Andrés Jiménez, TPL's Environmentalist in Residence for 2020.

This virtual presentation is the Live & Online version of Toronto Public Library's Our Fragile Planet program series.

Toronto Public Library is committed to accessibility. Please call or email us if you have a request for accommodation. Please let us know as far in advance as possible and we will do our best to meet your request. Call 416-393-7099 or email accessibleservices@tpl.ca

Cormorants: To Cull or Protect