Many species of birds may take fish at aquaculture facilities including kingfishers, herons, gulls, and cormorants. Because these birds are protected by federal and state law, they may not be removed without a Migratory Bird Depredation Permit issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Permits will be issued only after non-lethal techniques have been used correctly. A permit is not needed to physically or mechanically exclude fish-eating birds or to harass or scare birds away. The USDA APHIS-WS provides information about non-lethal control methods at aquaculture facilities in their technical reports on double-crested cormorants, gulls, herons, and egrets.
Follow these steps if non-lethal control methods have been ineffective and you wish to apply for a permit.
The Wildlife Illinois website was authorized by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) in partial fulfillment of project W-147-T. The website was developed by the National Great Rivers Research and Education Center, 2wav, and the IDNR in partnership with the United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Wildlife Services and University of Illinois Extension to provide research-based information about how to coexist with Illinois wildlife.
