Part 2.
2) We need financial backing to fund research which will accurately determine the most cost effective fencing methods, which will not necessarily be electrified
We need a project to determine the best options on fencing for fisheries protection for the huge range of waters that will want to install protective measures. The varying terrain those waters are located in could also mean a wide range of options need to be established. Then that data needs to be made readily available to everyone as part of the invaluable advice already available from the Wildlife Trust Otter Officers and the Environment Agency.
(For full details see the Environment Agency explanatory leaflet “Otter Predation-Is My Fishery At Risk?” from your local EA office or by writing to their Fisheries Department at EA, Rio House, Waterside Drive, Aztec West, Almondsbury, Bristol BS12 4UD).
3) We are looking for substantial funding from Government for fisheries protection, which is likely to primarily apply to non-commercial still-water carp fisheries with valuable stock.
Otter predation can cause serious problems so it is imperative we secure funding, as without it prime fisheries will suffer fish kills which they will be unable to counter. Otters have been responsible for killing numbers of valuable carp and causing major financial loss to the owners of the fisheries, which could provoke conflict between anglers and the conservation movement. This is something we are committed to avoid.
I add that David Arnold-Forster, Chief Executive, English Nature; Dr David Clarke, Head of Fisheries, Environment Agency; Dr Simon Lyster, Director General, The Wildlife Trusts, and Professor David Bellamy, President of The Wildlife Trusts, all support the need for effective control of introductions of mammals including otters, and for financial support for fisheries owners affected by the return of otters.
The NAA now believe that otter predation is getting out of hand, and as the main instigators of moves to address the problem are urgently seeking funding for fisheries protection.
Whilst there is unlikely to be an immediate resolution to these issues we have received a sympathetic hearing from an influential group of Government representatives and we anticipate moving forward from here to the next stage quite soon.
For further information contact Chris Burt at SAA via our e-mail address
Info@saauk.org
Phil Hackett
Conservation Officer
SAA