In a written answer to MEP Asger Christensen (Renew), Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries Roswall outlined the Commission's current approach to managing conflicts between Great Cormorants and fisheries, emphasising that an EU-wide management plan remains elusive due to lack of consensus among Member States. The answer, published on 23 April 2026, signals that the Commission will instead pursue guidance updates, a stress test of the Birds and Habitats Directives, and continued dialogue, while deferring a formal management plan to the international AEWA framework.
Answer to parliamentary question
The question, submitted on 29 January 2026, pressed the Commission on concrete actions following a structured dialogue with Member States in October 2025. Christensen highlighted that cormorant populations exceed 1.5 million and cause significant predation on fish stocks, citing research that cormorants consume 15 million cod annually in the Danish Western Baltic. He asked for an EU-level coordinated management plan and updates on guidelines for aquaculture.
No EU proposal due to Member State disagreement
Commissioner Roswall explained that the October 2025 dialogue aimed to give a mandate to the AEWA secretariat to develop an international single-species management plan. However, at the ninth meeting of AEWA Parties in November 2025, EU Member States could not reach consensus, preventing the EU from putting forward the proposal. This reveals a cleavage between Member States favouring stronger EU-level action and those preferring national or international approaches, reflecting tensions between EU integration and national sovereignty in wildlife management.
Guidance and stress test as next steps
On 31 March 2026, the Commission adopted guidance on bird protection, including measures to address cormorant conflicts. Later in 2026, it will conduct a 'stress test' of the Birds and Habitats Directives to assess their fitness for purpose and cost-efficiency. The Commission will also continue structured dialogue with Member States and encourage coordination of measures consistent with EU law. Regarding the European Management Plan proposed by the European Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture Advisory Commission, the Commission considers that negotiation should take place within AEWA, not at EU level.
Aquaculture guidelines under development
Work has started on a document providing recommendations and good practices for preventing and mitigating predator impacts on aquaculture, including species proliferating due to climate change. The scope of species covered is still under discussion. The Commission's answer contains no numerical targets or deadlines, offering instead declarative support and procedural steps.
Policy orientation and expected follow-up
The answer signals a cautious, procedural approach: the Commission prioritises international cooperation (AEWA) and voluntary guidance over binding EU measures. The stress test of the Birds and Habitats Directives could lead to future legislative adjustments, but no timeline is given. Stakeholders most impacted include EU fisheries and aquaculture operators (who face continued predation without a coordinated EU plan), national authorities (who retain discretion but lack EU-level support), cormorant conservationists (who benefit from the status quo), and EU taxpayers (who fund the stress test and guidance work). The positive impact is that the Commission avoids imposing top-down measures that might be contested; the negative impact is that affected industries may see no immediate relief from predation conflicts.