Parts of my "home" river, the Dorset Stour, have been ravaged and decimated by Otters.
But, in that form, the petition will certainly not have my signature. I would far rather support The Predation Action Group and their more measured and politically savvy methods of finding a solution to one of UK angling's major issues.
As recently as November 2017 The Barbel Society declared their support for the actions and direction of the PAG. They now appear to have changed their minds.
The following is part of a very recent FB post from Tim Paisley (recent Chairman of PAG) which sets out the direction and aims of the group.
"After many years of soul-searching late last year the seasoned campaigners on the PAG board agreed to harden their stance and seek the right to the lethal control of otters in extreme individual circumstances which warrant such a measure (farmer's rights).
Such a right is years away, if it ever happens, but no can can argue against the fact that predation is having a serious impact on the ecology, the rural economy, and that our fisheries are suffering just as seriously as other areas of the ecology which are being impacted.
Otters are just part of the problem, but a serious one for carp and specialist anglers, riparian owners, landowners, fish farmers and day ticket and syndicate waters."
and
"..meeting between the PAG and some of the specimen organisations, and groups in Northampton last November following an approach from the Barbel Society declaring their (as it turns out, possibly unofficial) support for the PAG. As a result of the meeting it was hoped there would be some sort of unification of specialist anglers behind the efforts of the PAG for added strength."