Very strange (not to me) that the picture of a "comprehensively ottered 20lb carp" that started these posts shows very little sign of otter damage. Its brains and gills that are a favourite for otters look untouched, yet its guts look to have gone. Whats that about? And it looks to have the straightest line cut through it's flesh I have ever seen on a fish eaten by an otter. Do southern otters use knives and forks?
Yes otters eat fish, but if I was a betting man, I would have my money on that carp never having seen an otter and that's a fish from Hereford. A strong hold for naturally native otters. It's just a shame anglers have seen the need to stick carp holes everywhere in resent years and then cry about wildlife feeding there.............
The only bit of the articles I can agree with are when Ken sum's up by saying,
"So in conclusion, least for now, I love to see wildlife, big fish of course, I’m a fisherman, but I also love to see other wildlife and that includes otter.
However, for me this needs to be about promoting as diverse an ecology as possible. Not a love of a single species to the extent that others, vital components in a, dare I say after my comments about balance, a well managed habitat, in effect balanced ?????? habitat. A habitat that is looked after, invertebrates to the largest fish and mammals.
Also regarding anglers, I believe those who scream kill ‘em need to wind in their necks, yes we need action, but I believe we need to work with others with vested interests in the environment and especially come together as a coherent and respectful angling lobby body and frankly I believe The Predation Action Group and the Angling Trust offer the best scope and have already done considerable work in this field.
I do not support ill concieved splinter groups that take action that divides the angling community rather than bringing together for the common good of not just angling, but frankly all who have an interest in a diverse and well managed countryside".
As for rest of it, IMO angling needs or is getting a good lesson in sustainability. It's played god, but with only it's own interest at hart in resent years and now it's paying the price..........
I see the future for unpolluted waters with more natural and self sustaining fish stocks as being much brighter. And yes that seems to be a bigger problem for some anglers than others and more for some parts of the country......... There is a lot more than predators that could do with sorting out IMO, angling has been making a big mess of things as well, but I don't thing you all want to hear that.