In reply to Post #15
You seem to be the man on the subject Joss

I would have thought there were enough full timers, bailiffs on some waters to watch them all the time? gun in tent, job done

Probably a daft question, out of interest, how effective are traps, how long would it take to trap one, days weeks, months, never?

For me they need to be dealt with asap

In reply to Post #17
wouldn't say i'm the man, i just have the fortunate or "unfortunate" task of spending far too many years dealing with them

Traps are a last resort really mate, and they aren't easy to trap at all, it can take days and or weeks or never at all.

Site and complexities all come into play mate

i have however been working on a new way of getting them out!! Its proved successful, doesn't require a licensed to do so, nor will it cost much, nor will you have to do much but monitor!

Im not revealing it as yet, but will be soon, its a game changer for fenced fisheries.

Back in the day ,when they first appeared down here,many a water tried those big cage traps,I think around 12 waters at that time,if I remember, not one lutra was captured..

Another method ,employed,did however work..

I have upgraded my defences, because in the now drying boggy are of my place,was clear tracking signs of lutra,footprints,ie I arrived 6pm,no prints in boggy area..

7pm,went to car,to get some steak to grill,fresh prints then,so they are about,no significant, signs in any spraint stones,or not subtle signs,that most would not notice. .

But like I said,they are about..

Everything inside the fence,thrives, outside...not so good..not seen any brookies for a while,only minnows in the river..

I spend more time on that fence,than fishing it now,its totally worth it though..

No fence,no fish,no future..!

In reply to Post #18
I was thinking that they wouldn't be easy to catch unless they have a defined route, I guess they can pop up anywhere, especially on larger waters

Sure people can apply for a license to shoot cormorants, hope they include these soon

In reply to Post #13
I'm aware on the point of sheep being not protected and was just making a point. In answer to your question... damn right it would still be shot even after already slaughtering carp as it can't repeat the same devastation I see it as proactive as just because the killing has already happened is a non sensicle argument in not responding to it, by that logic the man eating lion gets a free pass then and why not the serial killer maybe no point in locking him up, a bit silly I know but all possible means should be available or it's all over. When these creatures regardless of any unfit status barriers cause devastation they forfeit any protection afforded by it. Problem is people fear giving voice to what's obviously required because the cuddle a predator freaks may get upset and make use of over zealous and unrealistic protection laws l

It's the sheer rate that they breed that makes anything other than a fence a futile gesture, I've seen more Otters or signs of Otters than I have of Rabbits the past couple of years.

A mate of mine works for the Highways Agency they are sick to the teeth of being called out to a reported “Dead dog on Highway” To turn up to find it's another bloody Otter, and most of them are Micro Chipped when scanned with a Halo (Explain that one)

I called at a village Chippy at dinner time the other week, only a very short walk from a 12 acre lake in the middle of the village, sat on a bench eating my dinner – loads of Ducks, Coots, Moor Hens and a few Seagulls flocked over to me for food, I counted seven that had one of their legs missing below the joint!

I was shown a video taken in the middle of a housing estate in Leyland, nowhere near any stream or river – an Otter raiding his Koi Pond, and it kept coming back every night until it had killed and eat the lot! All caught on Camera.

I don't think people are realising just how many there are, especially here in Lancashire.

In reply to Post #22
But we keep getting told nature will balance itself out, not seekng much sign of that at the moment

Devils advocate here....

If your stock is that valuable, get a fence up and protect it. If the law prohibits shooting them, then I'm sorry but that's that.

And otters don't 'target' private fisheries... they're animals who like to eat fish ffs.
And... Yes - the leap from otter to man eating lion to serial killer is silly.

To be honest I'm surprised they don't get more support. The original inhabitants dealing with the foreign invaders...? I bet Farage and co bloody love them! (Cynical / sarcastic smiley needed)

In reply to Post #24
Obviously you are probably aware not all lakes are in a position to have an otter fence put up, I know a lake which is absolutely desperate to put up a fence, but the land owner wont have it.

In reply to Post #20
Makes me laugh, you can shoot a pet dog for killing a sheep which is worth a few quid. Yet an Otter killing multiple very costly carp is sacred.
Also compare how long it takes to replace a sheep compared to a 30lb plus carp.

In reply to Post #18
Like said it's a shame. Predators and prey is as old as life itself and will always be so. Some of the post's in this thread are a joke. Hope what you have in mind works mate. Good luck

In reply to Post #26
A sheep only costs a few quid? Have you any idea of the running costs, margins and effort that goes into even a modest flock? Clearly not. That is probably one of the most ridiculous comments that I have ever read since the otter debate kicked off fifteen years ago.

I fish St Ives every week, I grew up fishing the Upper Ouse for barbel, I was on the Adam's Mill syndicate before it got devestated, the Ivel was a regular venue of mine and it got wiped out over night. It's heartbreaking, but comparing carp which are bred for anglers to haul out of the water for fun, to creatures which are livelihoods for the people putting your food on your plate is almost laughable if it wasn't so sad.

Fences are the only way to protect fisheries. A huge amount of them are impossible to fence... St Ives being one of them, even if the landowner would permit it.

In reply to Post #28
👍

This was inevitable so no surprise, as has been said otters are breeding so how long until all unfenced waters are decimated? Then all the ground nesting birds. Will the river salmon and trout anglers sit on their hands while the rivers are decimated.

In reply to Post #28
My point being the farmer is allowed to protect his livelihood, a fishery owner should be allowed to do the same. Didn't mean to ruffle any feathers.