Otter drowned in illegal trap
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Author: |
Mike Dunning |
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Date published: |
18-Aug-2008 |
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Keywords: |
Otter Death, Illegal Trap |
The Environment Agency has warned of the dangers of illegal fish traps after an adult otter was found dead in a trap on the River Tamar.
The Agency was alerted by a member of the public who made the gruesome discovery at Weir Quay on the Tamar Estuary. The full-grown otter had swum into the trap and drowned after it was unable to find its way out.
All traps including fyke nets must be fitted with otter guards. It is an offence to set a trap to catch crayfish, eels or prawns without a guard. The trap at Weir Quay didn’t have a guard and it is thought it was abandoned by its owner when they saw it contained a dead otter.
This latest fatality is the fourth in recent years. A mother and cub otter drowned in a trap on the River Yealm and a third otter died after entering an unguarded trap on the De Lank River in
Otters are protected by law. Anyone caught killing them faces a fine of up to £5,000 or up to six months in prison. It is thought the trap found at Weir Quay had been set for prawns. As well as otters, some traps can also unintentionally catch water voles.
‘The irresponsible and illegal setting of traps is leading to an increased number of otter deaths. We probably only get to hear about a fraction of them. The loss of another of these beautiful creatures is sad and could so easily have been avoided,’ said Rob Wood for the Environment Agency.
Anyone setting a crayfish trap must have consent from the Environment Agency and permission from the owner of the land where they intend to set the trap. Traps must conform to a strict size and any with an entrance diameter greater than 95 mm must be fitted with an otter guard.
The problem of illegal traps has been made worse by the increased availability of cheap net traps that aren’t factory-fitted with otter guards. Manufactured abroad, there is no requirement for them to comply with British standards and they are advertised for sale without otter guards.
A leaflet entitled ‘Protecting Wildlife – Think Otter’ is available from the Environment Agency and provides advice and guidance on how to stay within the law when using a fish trap. Copies can be obtained from the Fisheries, Permitting and Enforcement Team by calling the Agency’s National Customer Contact Centre on 08708 506 506.
A photo of the otter caught in the trap on the Tamar is available from the Environment Agency’s regional press office. For details call 01392 442008.
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Doc reference: |
073/08 |
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Contact: |
