Management effects on breeding and foraging numbers and movements of double-crested cormorants in the Les Cheneaux Islands, Lake Huron, Michigan

Abstract The yellow perch fishery of the Les Cheneaux Islands (LCI) region of Lake Huron, MI suffered a collapse in 2000, attributed in part to the increase of double-crested cormorants ( Phalacrocorax auritus ) in the region. A management program involving egg-oiling and lethal culling was initiated in 2004 to reduce cormorant foraging on yellow perch in the LCI. Counts of cormorant nests, nests oiled, cormorants culled, and aerial counts and telemetry surveys were used to evaluate management. Management contributed to a 74% reduction of cormorants on breeding colonies from 2004 to 2007. Cormorants used the LCI area significantly more ( P P