This year's report on local cormorant control efforts will be among several topics presented at the Straits Area Regional Fishery Workshop Saturday, May 2, at Little Bear East Conference Center in St. Ignace. The workshop starts at 8:30 a.m. and concludes at 4 p.m., with a lunch break at noon. Tickets can be purchased at the door for $20; lunch is included.

In 2004, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) partnered with federal Wildlife Services to help control the double crested cormorant population in the Les Cheneaux area. Since that time, the bird population has decreased about 90%, according to DNR fisheries research biologist Dave Fielder.

The program was implemented to benefit the perch population in the area, because the birds were eating too many fish.

"Everybody's already aware, but we've seen some recovery in the perch population" in the area, Mr. Fielder said.

To reduce the bird population, Wildlife Services members relocated some of the birds' nests and "oiled" their eggs to prevent them from hatching. The two groups are no longer trying to reduce the bird population and are switching to a maintenance strategy to keep the population low.

"We're shifting gears here," Mr. Fielder said. "There are some changes coming in terms of a shift from a reduction strategy, to a maintenance strategy."

Each year after the partnership began, representatives from both groups have returned to Les Cheneaux to report on findings, strategies, and the status of the bird population, which is down from about 5,500 nests to about 500.

Tony Aderman of Wildlife Services and Mr. Fielder will give a presentation on management efforts and the status of cormorant control programs in the region, including the one in Les Cheneaux. The presentation will highlight cost-effective monitoring and maintenance strategies to help keep the bird population low, Mr. Fielder said.

The Les Cheneaux program is the longest running cormorant control project in Michigan and is hoped to be used as a model for similar projects elsewhere in the state, Mr. Fielder said.

Other presentations to be made at the workshop in St. Ignace include updates on creel populations, programs monitoring prey fish and lampreys, herring rehabilitation in Lake Huron, Atlantic salmon programs, and an overall presentation on issues and changes in management efforts in the region.

The workshop is sponsored by Michigan Sea Grant, Michigan State University Extension, DNR, Michigan Charter Boat Association, Michigan Steelhead and Salmon Fishermen's Association, Cheboygan Area Sportfishing Association, USGS Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory, and Lake Superior State University.