SHAGS

Grey River Argus, 20 August 1937, Page 4

SHAGS

[By A. Landsborough Thomson], A useful illustration is given by me case of the Australian cormorants (shags), of various species, inhabiting certain swa'mps of the Murray Paver. A war of extermination was begun against these birds under the impression that they were spoiling the fishing. The result, as it proved, was that the fishing grew worse instead 01 better. It was then discovered that the birds fed largely upon crabs, eels, and other creatures which destroyed the spawn and fry of desirable fishes. The cormorants' were therefore a necessary part of the economy or nature even from the human utilitarian _ point of view; they were to be classed as beneficial to man in spite of any toll that they might themselves levy upon the acquatic harvest which they had contributed to keep in existence. Over and over again in his attempts to interfere with nature, man has been presented with lessons of this kind.”