WEST CARLETON – In an effort to protect fish stocks, the provincial government has created a new hunting season for double-crested cormorants.

Renfrew-Nipissing- Pembroke MPP John Yakabuski recently announced the province is taking steps to protect fish stocks and natural habitat from double-crested cormorants, a harmful species of birds.

After receiving public feedback, Yakabuski says they’re introducing an annual hunting season for the birds from Sept. 15 to Dec. 31.

Yakabuski hopes the fall hunting season will avoid interfering with recreational users on waterways and nesting periods for migratory birds. Hunters will be able to take up to 15 cormorants a day, a similar limit to federally regulated migratory game birds.