Cormorants decimate the fish population

Fishermen claim that cormorants are decimating the population of fish in Slovak rivers and lakes. They feed mainly on trout. Cormorants are being protected not only in Slovakia, but also in the whole European Union. Fishermen want the protection of cormorants to be abolished in order to reduce their population to a sustainable level. In accordance with Slovak legislation, the state is liable for damage caused by protected species, fishermen want to apply for compensations from the state budget. This money should be used to finance breeding of fish in Slovak rivers and lakes.