Eleven EU member states, led by Czechia, called for a European Great Cormorant management plan at the Agriculture and Fisheries Council on 26 May 2026, citing economic damage to fisheries and aquaculture. Czechia presented data showing cormorants consume an estimated 360,000 tonnes of fish annually in Europe, equivalent to one-third of EU aquaculture production, and urged action based on an existing 2025 framework.
Croatia, Greece, Germany, Lithuania, Italy, Austria, Sweden, and France supported a coordinated EU approach, stressing the need to balance biodiversity protection under the Birds Directive with the economic viability of fisheries and aquaculture. Germany noted ongoing national deterrence and compensation measures but urged pan-EU coordination. Lithuania highlighted uneven management across regions, including in non-EU countries, and warned that reduced EU funding under the new European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) makes a coordinated solution urgent.
The Commission did not respond directly to the cormorant item during the debate. The Council took note of the information and member state remarks. Affected stakeholders include commercial fisheries, aquaculture operators, and local communities dependent on fish stocks.