Petition · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Add fish-eating birds to Schedule 2.1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981
Open for signatures
14,449 signatures
What the petition asks
Amend Schedule 2.1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 to list cormorants, goosanders and red-breasted mergansers that they may be managed, enabling proportionate control to protect inland fisheries and migratory fish populations where serious damage is evidenced.
Evidence points to Atlantic salmon being at crisis point — around 90% of principal salmon rivers in England are now classified as at risk, and declared catches are at their lowest since records began. Millions invested in river restoration are being undermined by predation. Course fisheries are also under threat.
We believe Natural England licensing is too slow for fisheries managers to respond effectively. Adding these species to Schedule 2.1 will in our view enable targeted, evidence-based management to protect inland fish stocks.
We believe Natural England licensing is too slow for fisheries managers to respond effectively. Adding these species to Schedule 2.1 will in our view enable targeted, evidence-based management to protect inland fish stocks.
Timeline
| 26 Jun 2026 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 6 Jul 2026 | Passed 10,000 signatures, requiring a government response |
Key facts
Signatures
14,449
Status
Open for signatures
Department
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Opened
26 Jun 2026
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 26 Jul 2026.