It would appear Mr 'O' B one you have the same view reguards the re introduction of these fine predators as I do. The problem for me seems to revolve around the fact that nothing was done to re introduce the eel stocks prior to there release (a favoured food item) indeed I defy anyone to find an eel on the Cherwell. If the food chain had been correctly managed many of the problems resulting from the re introduction could have been avoided. But instant results are what counts. The fact that food stocks are unsustainable has no bearing whatsoever. So eventually the Otters will starve themselves out, nice picture that will be. unless of course the E A keep feeding them with our license money!
I'm not sure that we do share the same view, as I do not have a problem with the reintroduction of otters.
I do have a problem with the way it was done by the Otter Trust supported by Natural England as it was then. Ie the failure to do Ecological Impact Surveys to see whether the habitat they were releasing them into was a wholly sustainable fishery, that would take predation by thee apex predator.
And the failure to consult any angling body before they were released regionally or nationally.
However, what is done is done, we just make sure a similar thing never happens again. And there is one looming, and it's Beavers.
What I won't support in anyway, shape or form is a cull of these animals....Not that anybody would get the go-a-head legally to do it. Neither do I support some of the comments made on this site and others by so-called anglers, to take matters into there own hands and act illegally by clandestinely culling them.
I suggest you do a search of the archives of this site and have a look for a very long thread on the subject of otters, as this debate has been ruminated and cogitated over several times before. And my views haven't changed one jot from the position I took then.