The double-crested cormorants are one of six species of cormorants birds living in North America. Worldwide, there are 38 species of cormorants, which are related to pelicans. The cormorants spend the warmer months in the Great Lakes region, nesting and breeding there. They migrate to Arkansas and other areas of the lower Mississippi River Valley, the Gulf Coast and the south Atlantic coast in fall and winter. Some cormorants are reported nesting in Arkansas now.
Depredation permits issued fish farmers require the use of shotguns with steel shot.
Fish farmers at the meeting said the birds have become so wary that shooting is difficult, and they have become used to pyrotechnics, noisemakers and other scare tactics. But keeping in mind we're dealing with a migratory bird, and we don't want to cause harm to the species. We must get control over the situation. Representatives from the offices of U.S. Senators. Tim Hutchinson and Blanche Lincoln also spoke at the meeting, saying they, too, hope for a solution to the cormorant problem.