Inquiry regarding the explosively grown cormorant population (no. 725)
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary sitting
Date: 2025-04-14 22:22
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 24
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 22m
AI Summaries: 24/24 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The presented inquiry examines the impact of the explosively grown cormorant population on Estonian nature and fish stocks, along with the related economic and environmental issues. Eight questions were submitted on behalf of the questioners (Martin Helme, Rene Koka, Evelin Poolametsa, Arvo Aller, Kert Kingo, Varro Vooglaid, Anti Poolametsa, Mart Helme and Helle-Moonika Helme), aiming to obtain a clearer overview of the need for population control, possible measures, and their impact on the fishing sector and the ecosystem. A significant focus is on further investigation of feeding habits, as well as various control and mitigation measures: egg oiling, autumn hunting, lethal deterrence, and consideration of exceptional tools, and the influence of cormorants’ natural enemies.
Furthermore, questions were raised about which areas are experiencing the greatest damage, what measures have already been implemented, and what the expected results are. The guiding principle emphasizes cooperation with interest groups and research institutions (e.g., University of Tartu and Estonian Marine Institute), as well as incorporating various European instruments to finance cormorant control. Overall, the agenda item reflects, in addition to the technical aspect, a political and economic balancing act between nature conservation, the interests of fisheries, and environmental impacts.
Decisions Made 1
No decisions were made. The discussion, description of proposed measures, and planning of research continues according to the ministry’s responses and involvement of interest groups; currently, egg oiling, autumn hunting, and lethal deterrence, permitted in exceptional cases, remain in effect, but a decisive assessment of effectiveness and a more detailed action plan will be developed through further collaboration.
Most Active Speaker
Minister Andres Sutt (Minister of Energy and Environment) was the most active speaker on the agenda, representing the central area of responsibility and providing multiple responses to eight questionnaires. He represents the right-wing political line (within the context of the Reform Party) and, while answering questions, emphasized the importance of continuing scientific work and cooperating with interest groups. He highlighted that controlling the cormorant population is necessary and that measures will be implemented in consultation with scientific data and regional conditions.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi opens the fifth item on the agenda, where Parliamentary Question No. 725 about the explosively growing cormorant population is discussed, and which is presented by Arvo Aller.
Arvo Aller
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Arvo Aller highlighted that the number of cormorants has rapidly increased—currently about 15,000 pairs, i.e., 30,000 birds—and is causing habitat destruction and significant damage to the fishing industry, emphasizing the need to use deterrence measures, and he submitted eight questions to the minister.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman thanks the listeners and announces that the questions will be answered by the Minister of Energy and the Environment, Andres Sutt.
Energeetika- ja keskkonnaminister Andres Sutt
AI Summary
Energy and Environment Minister Andres Sutt said that the impact of cormorants on fish stocks is being assessed with the help of nutrition studies from the University of Tartu; and although they are not the only reasons, a range of measures is being applied (autumn hunting, egg oiling in 2011–2014 and again since 2023, cormorant deterrence) and the effects of natural enemies and compensation possibilities are being explored with the support of funds; the ministry is coordinating cooperation between the fishing sector and local initiative groups, and the results of recent years show growth in egg-oiling (2023: 3,052 nests oiled; 2024: nearly 8,500 nests, about 60% on islets and 21% of the total population) and the number of killings (2023: 1,557; 2024: 1,059) and the issuing of special permits to kill (e.g., 123 birds on the Kihnu islets).
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Arvo Aller begins the speech.
Arvo Aller
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Arvo Aller asks whether the spring lethal deterrence hunt is prohibited and why, and whether it would be reasonable to allow it in the spring, taking into account the damages caused by the migration of geese and cormorants to agriculture and fishing.
Energeetika- ja keskkonnaminister Andres Sutt
AI Summary
Energy and Environment Minister Andres Sutt said that the question of authorizing the spring hunt would be answered in writing, noting that it is allowed at the Pärnu River and weighing whether it could be allowed elsewhere as well, and he will not start speculating here.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Toomas Kivimägi invites Vladimir Arhipov to speak.
Vladimir Arhipov
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Vladimir Arhipov highlights the damage to coastal fishermen caused by two enemies — cormorants and seals — and asks when the measures taken will yield results, in light of the cooperation with the University of Tartu and the communities.
Energeetika- ja keskkonnaminister Andres Sutt
AI Summary
The management of the cormorant population is necessary, and experts must find an appropriate pace and a solution that would help both fishermen and nature conservation, and if necessary even more effective measures will be implemented.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi asks Helle-Moonika Helme to come on stage.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The presenter stressed that the invasion of cormorants threatens the balance of nature, and the problem must be addressed with concrete actions, not merely by compiling studies, funds and strategies – otherwise it's just monkey business.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Toomas Kivimägi thanked everyone.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helle-Moonika Helme asks whether they really want to solve the problem and deal with the matter.
Energeetika- ja keskkonnaminister Andres Sutt
AI Summary
Energy and Environment Minister Andres Sutt emphasizes that a variety of measures have been implemented to control the cormorant population, including egg oiling, autumn hunting, and lethal deterrence, and the work of scientists helps to better understand their impact and regulate population growth.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi asked Evelin Poolamets to come and speak.
Evelin Poolamets
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The inquiry concerns the rapid growth of the cormorant population and asks whether the deterrence measures named by the minister are customary or whether additional measures are needed, because deterrence methods are not sufficiently effective.
Energeetika- ja keskkonnaminister Andres Sutt
AI Summary
Energy and Environment Minister Andres Sutt said that the oiling process that took place from 2011 to 2014 was resumed in 2023, and there is a need to regulate the population, and although analyses have been carried out, actions will be taken in practice as well, involving oiling, hunting, and the implementation of the Pärnu River exemption, and the results will be evaluated.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman, Toomas Kivimägi, invites Henn Põlluaas to take the floor.
Henn Põlluaas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Henn Põlluaas noted that the cormorant population has recently grown explosively (to around 44,000 pairs), resulting in fish stocks having declined significantly, and he stressed that this must be taken seriously, because relying on natural predators alone is not enough.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman, Toomas Kivimägi, thanked everyone.
Henn Põlluaas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
They emphasize the need for a strong course of action and a clear plan, and they ask what you actually intend to do.
Energeetika- ja keskkonnaminister Andres Sutt
AI Summary
Energy and Environment Minister Andres Sutt said that work will continue with weighing the necessary measures (egg oiling and autumn hunting on the Pärnu River), steps will be taken if necessary, studies are important, and solutions will be found that would suit both fishermen and the natural environment, and the role of ümarmudli and emakala as food for the cormorant chicks will be taken into account.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Toomas Kivimägi thanked, informed that there were no questions, opened and closed the deliberations, and announced that the agenda item had brought the proceedings to a close.