Cormorant Relief Act of 2025

# Cormorant Relief Act of 2025 - Summary **What the Bill Would Do:** The Cormorant Relief Act of 2025 would address problems caused by cormorant populations in the United States. Cormorants are water birds that eat large quantities of fish, and in some areas they've become numerous enough to damage fish populations and harm aquaculture (fish farming) operations.

While the specific details of this bill's provisions aren't fully specified in the available information, bills with this title typically aim to give states and fish farmers more tools to manage cormorant populations, which might include relaxing hunting restrictions or allowing lethal removal methods. **Who It Affects:** This bill would primarily affect fish farmers and aquaculture businesses across multiple states (particularly in the South, Midwest, and parts of the West where cormorant populations are problematic), commercial and recreational fishermen, and state wildlife management agencies. It could also impact environmental groups concerned with bird conservation. **Current Status:** The bill was introduced by Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) in the 119th Congress and is currently in committee, meaning it has not yet been debated or voted on by the full Senate.