In our area we have a stretch of small river where small barbel are prolific, from gudgeon size to 2lbs and up, there have been concerns of otters being seen, I myself felt sure I had one surface near the downstream boundary of the stretch, then last year there was a massive disturbance moving upstream, almost seal like, at present numbers are still very good, on the Ivel and Ouse I haven't barbel fished them for maybe three or four years as catching one would be as easy as pulling hens teeth, these were rivers with healthy populations before 2013 with fish from say a pound to upper doubles, the Ivel produced a fish of 20lbs 12ozs (my pb of 18lbs) which was found being chomped upon by an otter, a healthy fish other than bite marks near its organs, nowadays the rivers barbel and chub stocks are virtually gone, a very sad thing for me as I've spent many, many hours catching, big barbel, chub to over 6lbs, lots of perch over 2lbs, roach over 2lbs, dace 12ozs, these days I have a walk there occasionally but never with a rod...