Controlling fish-eating birds on a river to conserve Atlantic salmon or sea trout

Cormorant and goosander can sometimes predate young Atlantic salmon and sea trout. This can affect the conservation status of both fish species.

Using non-lethal scaring methods

You can manage these problems by using non-lethal scaring methods such as:

• visual presence of humans/dogs
• mannequins or scarecrows
• kites or helium balloons
• flashing lights or lasers
• gas cannon
• shooting to scare with firearms using blank ammunition
• bioacoustics (predator or distress/alarm calls)
• other sound producing objects such as windmills or tapes that hum in the wind
• removing availability of perching or roosting sites
  
  

Applying for a licence

We can sometimes grant licences for lethal control to support non-lethal methods. You must have tried non-lethal methods and they must have had limited or no effect.

Information you must provide in your application

• Applicant's name, address and contact details
• Name and address of the person responsible (licensed accredited agent) for each section of river
• Ten-digit grid reference at the start and the end of each section of river you want to control birds on
• A bird count using a catchment-based approach
• A map showing all river sections
• What non-lethal methods you used and a brief description of:
  • when you used them
  • how effective they were
  • why you did not use other non-lethal methods

How long it takes

We will make a decision within 40 working days of receiving a complete application.

How much it costs

We do not charge for this type of licence application.

Start your application

We can only issue licences between, and including, 1 October to 17 March.