Otter Reintroductions

[chesters1]

arbocop .... interesting to hear from someone from the Kennet (a proper barbel river) about this issue.

 

Here in Norfolk we hear lots of noise about the evil otters.

 

But none of it will make a bean of difference.

 

Personally, I think we should bring back the otter hounds and manage the environment properly, like they did in the old days.

 

Unfortunately the reallity is that that's about as likely as a pig flying around the moon.

otter hounds never disappeared they became mink hounds

[watatoad]

Forget the Otters...they are wearing real tree anyway...cull the Greenies and idiots who keep introducing fish or other species where they should not be or don't belong...many environmental muck ups stem from their narrow vision, short minded approach and what appears to be moronic intellects.

Edited June 8, 2011 by watatoad

[gozzer]

BBC Report

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-13697395

 

I know how they feel, it's now illegal for me to cull all those bloody carp that have invaded the rivers around here.

 

John.

[Worms]

It all adds to the fun of the chase John

 

Anyway, a good market for crap around here from all of the EEs

[Worms]

Forget the Otters...they are wearing real tree anyway...cull the Greenies and idiots who keep introducing fish or other species where they should not be or don't belong...many environmental muck ups stem from their narrow vision, short minded approach and what appears to be moronic intellects.

Blimey, you don't mean that the scientists were right then surely?.........or is it just more hypocrisy as it suits you?

[Steve Walker]

BBC Report

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-13697395

 

Very annoyed at the lack of balance in that piece, because there are plenty of anglers who strongly disagree with that line.

 

Awful publicity for angling, ammunition for the antis. If it comes down to otters or anglers in the eyes of the public, we lose, and look like a right bunch of b****rds in the process. It's a no-win situation, and we are fools to even try.

[Worms]

Just a bit of an update for Jefwill. To reply in more detail to your earlier post, no I had not been coarse fishing on the Wye for about 18 months but, I have fished fly on the river about 30 times in the last three years. I have also been conducting otter surveys (9 in total) from Builth Wells to Tintern. The results?

 

Well, of 137 spraints collected the dry weight of material was as follows.

 

78% fish remains, 17% invertebrate (including native crayfish) 4% bird and 1% small mammal.

 

Fish species included: Trout (41%), chub (11%), roach (9%), and approximately equal amounts of pike, eel, gudgeon, perch, salmon (parr), dace, and shad.

 

The largest fish (estimated) was a 4lb pike amd the average size of fish was approximately 5.37oz. The largest chub scales found were from a fish estimated at 1lb 8oz.

 

No carp found, no children's bones, or sheep or cattle. Just small fish....which confirms all of the previous scientific analysis of otter fod remains!

 

One small point of interest however which might shake John (I'm an idiot) Wilson to the core.... I have been conducting some surveys of an area in the Potteries over the past couple of years and, yes I have found carp scales....loads of them....from big fish too, fish of high single to mid double figures. otters? no, badgers!!!

 

This is scientific survey work, not numpty crap anglers finding dead fish and jumping to conclusions!

[chesters1]

you tell 'em

[watatoad]

Interesting maps but please check the dates and all info etc.,

 

http://www.mammal.org.uk/index.php?option=...&Itemid=376

 

http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/homea...ife/110740.aspx

 

http://www.norfolkbiodiversity.org/actionp...ecies/otter.asp

 

and the man who made it all possible he who saved the otters.

 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/wildlife/...ins-otters.html

[yorkio]

Well, of 137 spraints collected the dry weight of material was as follows.

 

78% fish remains, 17% invertebrate (including native crayfish) 4% bird and 1% small mammal.

 

Fish species included: Trout (41%), chub (11%), roach (9%), and approximately equal amounts of pike, eel, gudgeon, perch, salmon (parr), dace, and shad.

Did those results accurately reflect the relative fish populations in the sampled areas, or are there any species which appear to be over-represented? Or for that matter, any fish which are known to be in the river but which didn't show up as part of their diet?