FISHERIES AND OTTERS

Worrying recent reports show that there are isolated incidences of otters being trapped and killed, often in barbaric circumstances. Many fisheries and anglers groups work very closely with the Wildlife Trusts, for example on river restoration projects, and they welcome the return of the otter. The species has re colonised freshwater habitats naturally as rivers and streams have become cleaner and the otter's presence is indicative of a healthy freshwater ecosystem. There is, however, a growing concern amongst anglers and fishery managers that otters are impacting on fish stick, particularly in still-water fisheries, where fish are stocked at high densities. When some of these fish are worth several thousand pounds apiece, it is not surprising that managers become hostile to otters. At the same time, particularly when fish are torpid during the colder months, if they are left unprotected, otters are bound to take advantage of an easy meal.

Work on otter diet has, however, shown that, overall, the majority of their food comprises smaller fish species. A recent report looked at otter post mortems and analysed the stomach contents of the dead otters – there was very little evidence of larger fish forming part of their recent diet. The large size of otters' territories also means that  they will always exist at low densities, which will naturally limit their impacts on freshwater fisheries. In freshwater river systems a female home range can be 30-40km and males can range up to 70km. Otters are not productive animals. Females breed when they are about 2 years old and on average they have 2-3 young per year. 

Work has been done to look at ways of protecting fisheries, using fencing and decoy pools for instance. The Specialist Anglers Alliance have commissioned a report on otters and fencing, which can be viewed at www.saauk.org. The Wildlife Trusts are also working with the Environment Agency to produce a guide that will support those working with anglers and fisheries. This will dispel myths around otter predation, and give tips as to how predation can be minimised.