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Fly fisherman's defence of the otter
From: Stephen Cheetham, Aire Grove, Yeadon, Leeds.
Sir, – In response to the letter from RC Dales ("Danger posed by bringing otters back", Yorkshire Post, May 24), the issue of depleting trout stocks can surely not be attributed solely to the increase in the numbers of otters in our rivers?
I appreciate the comments and costings referred to but surely the issue doesn't rest with the comparatively recent reappearance of the otter.
This creature is a native of our country and was hounded, literally, close to extinction.
Many fisheries have complained in recent months about the increase in the number of cormorants inhabiting our rivers. These birds take one-sixth of their body-weight in fish per day and are a protected species which can only be controlled under licence.
The otter feeds not exclusively on trout, they eat eels, other small fish, crayfish, crustaceans and have even been seen to kill and eat mink which are not native and which can also wreak havoc with trout stocks. The mink has very few predators and it was only recently discovered that the otter can hold its own against this ever increasing problem.
The heron also is on the increase and takes many small trout from our rivers. How can we single out the otter, which is struggling to regain its natural place in Britain's natural order of things?
I am a very keen fly fisherman and I sympathise with the concerns expressed in Mr Dales's letter but not at the expense of the re-introduction of the otter which has every right to survive on our rivers.
Maybe the answer lies elsewhere?The rivers are cleaner which can only be a good thing. Surely there is room for our native otter and maybe more effort should be made to control and eliminate the uninvited and unwelcome species which we harbour.
From: Mrs C Greene, Kirklands Farm, Kirklands Lane, Baildon, Shipley.
Sir, – I really cannot let such an objectionable letter from RC Dales (May 24) go unanswered.
Does he really think that our rivers, and countryside are here just for the exploitation bymankind. Who does he think made the rivers unfit for fish in the first place? The human race of course, with both its greed and filth.
What an appalling way to think, that, as we never see otters – it does not matter if they disappear.
Personally, I would have thought all decent people would be far more concerned about the existence of otters, than the few fly fishermen, and the fish farmers who, after all, are exploiting our rivers.
Does he think that the entire world is here just for the human race toexploit and destroy in their greed. I am very pleased to say that Ithink other-wise.
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Saturday 11 February 2012
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