SRAC# 402, Control of Bird Predation at Aquaculture Facilities: Strategies and Cost (Revised 1997)

SRAC# 402

Control of Bird Predation at Aquaculture Facilities: Strategies and Cost (Revised 1997)

Gary A. Littauer, James F. Glahn, David S. Reinhold and Martin W. Brunson

Opening Paragraph:
Bird predators cause significant losses of commercially produced aquaculture products in the southeastern United States. A wide variety of species are implicated, depending on the location and type of farm. Cormorants, wading birds, pelicans, and even ducks and blackbirds forage at commercial catfish, crawfish, baitfish, ornamental fish, and trout farms. Most birds are protected by state and federal laws, so most fish farmers must rely primarily on non-lethal techniques to accomplish control objectives. Although much is yet to be learned about controlling bird damage at aquaculture facilities, producers can optimize current control efforts by understanding and considering the logic, costs, and limitations of different techniques and by developing integrated strategies for their use.

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