The Great Cormorant is the largest member of its family. It is widespread in Europe and Asia, with a world population of more than 700,000 pairs. However, in North America, it only breeds in a small region of the eastern seaboard from Maine and Nova Scotia to Newfoundland and in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, wintering farther south along the east coast (Hatch et al. 2000). In Europe, it occurs extensively inland, but in North America it is confined to salt water. After persecution in the 19th century reduced the Canadian population to a few thousand birds, the population increased in the 20th century (Milton et al. 1995). Relative to 1970, the population has increased moderately, particularly since the early 2000s. This species has been identified as a priority for conservation and/or stewardship in one or more Bird Conservation Region Strategies in Canada.
Cormorants are not protected under the Migratory Birds Convention Act, so they fall under provincial jurisdiction. Because they are regarded as pests by some fishermen, conflicts have resulted with fisheries over local resources (Ljunggren 2017), and they continue to suffer from persecution. They are also affected by human-induced mortality from entanglement in fishing gear, reduction in food due to commercial fisheries, and marine oil pollution (Milton et al. 1995). Reduction of pollution in marine environments will benefit the species, along with all other marine life. Colonies appear particularly vulnerable to disturbance, especially when mixed with gulls, which can take eggs and chicks before cormorants return to their nests.
Environment and Climate Change Canada and partners have developed Bird Conservation Region Strategies in each of Canada’s Bird Conservation Regions (BCRs). In these strategies, selected species are identified as priorities for one or more of the following reasons:
Select any of the sub-regions below to view the BCR strategy for additional details.