Mobile Courant

U.S. Senators Tommy Tuberville of Alabama and Tom Cotton of Arkansas have reintroduced the Cormorant Relief Act. This legislation aims to restore the ability of catfish farmers and other aquaculture producers to manage the population of double-crested cormorants, which pose threats to aquaculture operations across several states, including Alabama, Arkansas, and Mississippi. These birds are considered a menace due to their predation on fish populations.

Senator Tuberville emphasized Alabama's significant role in catfish production, stating, "Alabama is the number two state in American catfish production, raising one-third of the world’s catfish. As a former catfish restaurant owner, I know firsthand how critical catfish are to our economy. America’s catfish farmers should be able to protect their livelihoods against these invasive birds without fear of repercussions from the federal government. It is important that we put our American catfish farmers first!"

Senator Cotton highlighted the impact on Arkansas’s fish farmers, noting, "Double-crested cormorants pose a significant threat to Arkansas’s fish farmers, but unnecessary regulation currently prevents them from taking additional steps to protect their ponds. Our bill would once again give fish farmers the ability to adequately defend their fish populations from the birds that are eating into their bottom line."

The legislation has gained support from the National Aquaculture Association and the Catfish Farmers of America.

The text of the legislation is available for public view.

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