Keele Research Repository

The endangered Eurasian Otter (Lutra lutra) became a protected species in England and Wales in 1978. The gradual recovery of the species coincides with the rise in specimen fishing on stillwater fisheries and increased concerns about predation. Although otter-proof fencing has been identified as the most effective current solution, the lack of a formalised legal mechanism to remove otters from fenced fisheries compromised livelihoods and otter welfare. Recognising this, the UK Wild Otter Trust (UKWOT) successfully lobbied for a formal licence to humanely trap and remove them. This paper examines the initial media and stakeholder responses to Natural England introducing the CL36 ‘class licence’ to live capture and transport Eurasian otters (Lutra lutra) that are trapped in fenced fisheries to prevent further damage. The paper analyses the UKWOT ‘Interventions Spreadsheet’ for the three years of the CL36 licence (November 2016 to June 2019) and the AT Fishery Management Advisors (FMA) ‘Otter Log’ (March 2017 to March 2019), to trace otter-related enquiries. Finally, the paper assesses the impact of the licence in practice, with reference to the successful live trapping and removal of otters from fenced fisheries.