Congress Advanced New Cormorant Control Legislation

The proposed 2026 act aims to manage bird populations that are increasingly impacting fisheries and aquaculture.

Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Bird Watching

Isometric editorial illustration of a cormorant on a pier post next to a fishing net, representing federal bird management policy. — Congress has advanced the Responsible Cormorant Management and Control Act to provide states and tribes with tools to manage bird populations near fisheries. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The United States Congress has advanced the Responsible Cormorant Management and Control Act, which would authorize new federal frameworks for managing double-crested cormorant populations. The legislation seeks to balance bird conservation with the needs of local fisheries and aquaculture operators.

Why it matters

Current federal protections under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act limit how states and tribes can manage cormorant numbers. This bill aims to provide localized management tools to address the increasing presence of these birds along areas like the Tennessee River.

The proposed legislation, filed as H.R. 8195 and S. 5514, mandates that the Department of the Interior implement regional management frameworks and conduct population surveys every five years.

The players

Tim Walberg

He is a member of the United States House of Representatives who introduced H.R. 8195.

Ted Cruz

He is a United States Senator who introduced the companion legislation S. 5514.

Department of the Interior

This federal executive department would be responsible for establishing the regional management frameworks required by the act.

House Natural Resources Committee

This congressional committee oversees legislation related to wildlife management and public lands.

The details

The bill would allow individual states and tribes to enact specific management actions against cormorants under a federal regulatory umbrella. This follows a significant rebound for the species, which had disappeared as a nesting bird in Tennessee between 1955 and 1992.

1955-1992: Cormorants were absent as a nesting species in Tennessee.
April 2, 2026: Rep. Tim Walberg introduced the House version of the bill, H.R. 8195.
September 15, 2026: The House Natural Resources Committee moved the legislation forward by unanimous consent.
September 24, 2026: Senator Ted Cruz introduced the Senate version of the bill, S. 5514.

Culture Shift

This legislation marks a departure from the strict protections of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, reflecting a shift toward more active wildlife management. It represents a trend where federal policy balances conservation legacy with the practical economic needs of modern fisheries.

If enacted, the bill could change how state wildlife agencies address local bird concentrations that impact regional fisheries and aquaculture. Residents living near major waterways may observe new management activities implemented by state and tribal authorities.

The takeaway

Legislators are attempting to find a middle ground between bird protection and economic relief for local aquaculture. Property owners and fishery managers should monitor future Department of the Interior guidelines to understand how these tools will be implemented in their regions.