Idaho Fish and Game wants to harass and kill pelicans down to half their present population-

IDFG is seeking comments thru April 2 on a long-term plan to manage pelicans for the next ten years.

https://idfg.idaho.gov/form/pelican-plan-2016

The goal of the “Management Plan for the Conservation of American White Pelicans in Idaho 2016-2025” is to “maintain viable breeding populations of pelicans in Idaho while reducing impacts to native fish and recreational fisheries.”

The plan admits that pelicans are classified as a “species of greatest conservation need” in all eight western states in which they breed, including Idaho. In Idaho, this is due to “a low number of breeding colonies in Idaho” and “a vulnerable rangewide conservation status.”

However, the plan outlines actions to haze and kill pelicans across the state to halve their population.

Their crime? Eating fish.

IDFG is primarily concerned with pelican consumption of Yellowstone cutthroat trout in southeast Idaho—in particular, Palisades Reservoir.

IDFG is also concerned with their impacts on stocked rainbow trout and other sport fisheries.

The specific control actions planned include:

*Maintaining a statewide population of 2,800 breeding pelicans. But the current population is about 5,600. Therefore, IDFG wants to reduce the population by half.

*The plan outlines actions it will take in different regions across the state, to “achieve fish management goals,” including killing and hazing pelicans.

*As long as statewide abundance exceeds objectives, IDFG “will use dissuasion techniques where possible to prevent establishment of new colonies.” This is despite the fact that IDFG admits that “from strictly a pelican conservation standpoint it would be desirable to have additional breeding colonies in Idaho.”

The plan is disappointing. There is no discussion as to whether “fish management goals” should be altered in places, as opposed to killing pelicans.

The other threats to Yellowstone cutthroat trout, or other prized sport fisheries, are not discussed. IDFG admits elsewhere that:

Reduction in historically occupied range, habitat loss, fragmentation of current habitat, and isolation of existing populations, and hybridization with rainbow trout and other subspecies of cutthroat trout are the principal issues facing Yellowstone cutthroat trout (May, et al., 2003).

http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/ifwis/cwcs/pdf/Yellowstone%20Cutthroat%20Trout.pdf

Perhaps IDFG should be spending more time partnering with other agencies to address these underlying problems, rather than scapegoating native pelicans.

Comments are accepted through April 2 and can be submitted online here:

American White Pelican Conservation Management Plan Idaho Fish and Game