This paper introduces the special section prepared for Waterbirds from selected papers originally presented at a symposium titled “Recent Advances in Biology and Management of Double-crested Cormorants (Phalocrocorax auritus)”, held in Bar Harbor, Maine, USA, at the 39th Annual Meeting of the Waterbird Society, 11–15 August 2015. The principal objective of this symposium was to explore and communicate about ways to address conflicts with this species that would result in fewer birds being killed under legal management programs. Fifteen papers were presented in three subject categories: population status and new research; knowledge-based challenges for Double-crested Cormorant management; and ethical, bird conservation and other perspectives on cormorant management. Three papers from the second two categories provided unique and important perspectives on ways to manage conflicts in which fewer birds would be destroyed and are presented here. The well-developed approaches in these papers are important steps toward a knowledge-based path to resolving conflicts and, most importantly, living with Double-crested Cormorants.