Trapping
It cannot be emphasised strong enough that in most cases otter(s) are merely accessing a fenced site through a point of weakness and often one which is extremely difficult to determine.
However, even with a thorough maintenance routine, on occasion otters can find their way into fenced fisheries.
Working in partnership with the UK Wild Otter Trust (UKWOT), both Richard Bamforth and Jake Davoile are trained to operate under the Natural England CL36 class licence to trap and remove otters from within fenced fisheries in England and have helped numerous fisheries across the country.
This is no easy task and lots of work goes into assisting fisheries checking the fence for weaknesses, determining the entry points and making recommendations for fencing improvements with the sole aim of getting the otter safely back on the outside of a fully secure fence.
NOTE – When it comes to live trapping of otters under the Natural England Class Licence ref. CL36, that merely refers to those fishery sites which are deemed to be adequately fenced. In the event of trapping said otter(s), the licence then ONLY permits the otter(s) to be released unharmed, immediately on the outside of the fence. If the weakness in the fence, gates, inflows/outflows etc is still present the otter will simply regain entry, or another otter will ultimately find that point of weakness.
Further information may be found here https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/otters-licence-to-capture-and-transport-those-trapped-in-fisheries-to-prevent-damage
If you think otters are gaining access to your fenced fishery, please contact Richard or Jake on the contact details below.
Contact details
For further advice on otter related matters, please contact one of the Angling Trust’s Fisheries Management Advisors:
North West, North East, Yorkshire and Humber, Lincolnshire, East Midlands, West Midlands:
Richard Bamforth: [email protected] | 07904 041518
South West, South East, London, South Midlands, East of England:
Jake Davoile: [email protected] | 07949 703206