A local bird watcher is questioning action being taken by the provincial government to deal with double-crested cormorants, better known as “shags.”

The sea birds have become problematic in some areas like Ontario and Nova Scotia and the provincial government has signaled its intention to cull the birds from certain areas in this province.

Government is considering issuing permits to residents as part of the plan.

Senior Manager responsible for Wildlife Management, Wayne Barney, says they have received an increasing number of complaints about the birds in recent years.

He says cormorants are nesting at sites that are “atypical” of historic populations. That, says Barney, is indicative of a big increase in cormorant numbers.

Bruce MacTavish says as far as he’s concerned, the birds, which prey on fish, aren’t posing a serious problem in this province and he thinks any action taken here may be premature.

“I don’t think they’re a problem in Newfoundland yet, and I don’t know if they ever will be.” He says the numbers are definitely increasing, but they’re relatively low compared to places like Ontario and Nova Scotia where culling activity has taken place.