A cross-party group of 11 MEPs, led by Bert-Jan Ruissen (ECR), has called on the European Commission to allocate €3 million over six years to establish a secretariat for the Cormorant Management Advisory Group (CMAG), arguing that the growing great cormorant population is causing over €350 million in annual losses to fisheries, aquaculture, and biodiversity across Europe.
The written question, submitted on 10 April 2026 under Rule 144, asks the Commission whether it is willing to fund the secretariat, possibly under the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF); whether it will appoint representatives from DG MARE and DG ENV to the CMAG; and what concrete steps it will take to coordinate implementation of the European Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture Advisory Commission (EIFAAC) framework at EU level.
The MEPs note that national measures have proven insufficient due to the cormorants' migratory nature and cross-border impact, and that a coordinated European approach is needed. The EIFAAC framework, developed with EU funding, provides a science-based and widely supported plan. Twenty-four countries have already nominated experts to the CMAG, but a dedicated secretariat is lacking.
a €500,000 annual budget (€3 million over six years) and the appointment of Commission representatives. The tone is urgent, emphasising cost-effectiveness relative to the scale of damage. The Commission is expected to reply within approximately six weeks; its answer will signal whether it prioritises EU-level coordination on this issue or leaves it to member states. The MEPs represent a broad coalition of centre-right, conservative, and liberal groups, indicating cross-party pressure on the Commission to act.