EURASIAN OTTER (LUTRA
LUTRA)
ACTION PLAN
Lead Agencies Public Sector Environment Agency
Voluntary Sector The Wildlife Trust
Having suffered a serious decline until the
1970s, the Otter is now making a comeback in Northamptonshire. This appears to
be due to improvements in water quality and habitat, combined with the releases
of captive-bred Otters carried out by the Otter Trust in the 1990s.
2
CURRENT
STATUS
2.1
International
/ National Status
·
The Eurasian Otter is listed as a UK priority species
for conservation (UK Biodiversity Action Plan, 1995). The species is listed on Appendix I of CITES, Appendix II of the
Bern Convention and Annexes II and IV of the EC Habitats Directive. It is fully protected under listing 5 of the
Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 with equivalent protection in Northern
Ireland and Schedule 2 of the Conservation (Natural Habitats) Regulations 1994
(Regulation 38). The European
sub-species are also listed as globally threatened in the IUCN/WCMC Red Data
List.
2.2 Local Status
·
In the National Otter Survey of England
1991-1994, conducted by the Vincent Wildlife Trust, 58 of 725 (8%) survey sites
within the Anglian Region were found positive for Otter presence. This figure demonstrates a recovery for
Otter populations with successful breeding and range expansion, possibly due to
Otter releases. The 1984-86 survey
revealed only 8 of 725 (1.10%) of the survey sites showed some evidence of
Otters suggesting a low point in the population compared with 20/623 (3.21%) in
1977-79.
·
Since the 1960s Otters have only occasionally
been recorded in Northamptonshire, usually in winter and probably not breeding
animals. Two sites produced a few, but
almost annual records. Some
re-introductions have occurred in the north of the county and the release of 8
animals in the last few years may help to provide a high enough population for
breeding to occur again. Otters have
returned to several locations in the north of the county in recent years due to
changes in farming practices and environmental management, supported by Otter
release programmes carried out by the Otter Trust.
3
CURRENT
FACTORS CAUSING LOSS OR DECLINE
·
A major reason for the decline of the Otter was
the introduction of organochlorine pesticides in the 1950s. These environmental contaminants, which
accumulate in the food chain, are particularly dangerous to species such as the
Otter, which have potentially long life spans, low reproductive rates and
occupy the top of the food chain.
Although these pollutants have gradually been phased out, the use of
PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) still contaminate aquatic organisms including
fish. They are biologically damaging at even low concentrations, impairing
breeding success in adult males long before poisoning kills the Otter. The Otter is also susceptible to heavy
metals such as lead, mercury and cadmium which contaminate the ecosystem and
reduce fitness and resistance to disease through impaired neurological
function.
·
Wetland habitat has been lost to development,
agricultural intensification, drainage operations, straightening of rivers and
flood prevention, reducing the availability of suitable and secure habitat for
Otter populations. Removal of habitat
such as reedbeds, woodland, carr and riverside trees deprives Otters of
suitable breeding, resting and foraging sites.
·
Otters are sensitive to disturbance. This has
increased through water-based recreational activities for example angling,
increased access to riparian habitats especially where footpaths are located
close to riverbanks, and dog walking.
Disturbance is also evident where mink are hunted.
·
Poor water quality, due to high levels of
organic matter, acidification and various forms of toxic pollutants reduces
prey biomass. Affected wetlands can therefore only support a small population
of Otters
·
Widening of rivers and headwater streams may
prove to be a problem in dry summers.
·
The number of road deaths may be small, but may
have serious implications for the viability of populations, especially where
Otters are re-colonising new areas and population size is small.
·
Otters are drowned in fyke nets, which are set
to catch eels.
·
To a lesser extent, diseases such as
canine/mink distemper, phocine distemper and bovine tuberculosis may adversely
affect populations.
4
CURRENT
ACTION
·
The Regional Otter Action Plan contains details
of current actions; these include management, assessing and reducing prevalent
threats, promoting natural re-colonisation and improving knowledge of ecology
and conservation.
·
Surveys of Otter distribution throughout the
county have been conducted and are ongoing.
·
Otter releases have been successful, as Otter
sightings have increased in number and distribution.
·
Otter holts have been constructed with evidence
of their use in Barnwell and Wadenhoe.
·
Local volunteers and interested parties have
provided The Wildlife Trust with information regarding Otter sightings.
·
The Otter Survey of the River Nene Catchment
(1993) identified that gravel pits provided some of the best habitats for
Otters with islands providing safe resting places. Many gravel pits are
designated as County Wildlife Sites and are given some protection from adverse
development.
5. EURASIAN OTTER OBJECTIVES AND ACTIONS
|
|
Objective |
Action |
Lead Agency |
Partners |
TargetS |
5.1
|
Policy and Legislation
|
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|
|
Objective One: Ensure the protection of the species under
the instrumentation of the Countryside and Wildlife Act 1981 and other
relevant Acts and Conventions |
Implement and enforce relevant legislation
and policy |
English Nature |
Environment Agency |
Throughout Plan Period |
|
|
|
Designate Special Areas of Conservation to
ensure the conservation of Otter habitats as required by the EU Habitats
Directive |
English Nature |
|
By 2005 |
|
|
|
Investigate the usefulness of licensing to
control Otter release schemes |
English Nature |
|
|
|
|
Objective Two: Ensure that BAP species and their habitats
are given an appropriate level of protection in local plans |
Include species protection policies in local
plans and/or supplementary guidance |
Local Authorities |
|
By 2003 |
|
|
Objective Three Ensure that
fishery policy does not adversely affect the local Otter population |
Introduce fishery byelaws requiring the use
of Otter guards on all fyke nets used to catch eels |
Environment Agency |
|
By 2005 |
|
|
Objective Four Ensure that the
opportunities for Otter conservation area maximised through agri-environment
schemes |
Consider the requirements of the Otter when
reviewing agri-environmental schemes.
Monitor the effectiveness of the specific measures |
Department for Environment, Food and Rural
Affairs |
Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group,
Landowners |
Throughout Plan Period |
5.2
|
Site Safeguard and Management
(including Species Management and Protection)
|
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|
|
Objective Five: Maintain and enhance the size and range of
the Northamptonshire Otters population |
Protect and manage natural holt sites |
Environment Agency |
Wildlife Trust, Land Managers |
Throughout Plan Period |
|
|
|
Where Otter populations and movements are
known, ensure an abundance of ground cover to reduce disturbance and provide
resting sites. Plant reedbeds and allow scrub encroachment. Erect fencing to
reduce disturbance. Concentrate initial efforts on the Nene between Thrapston
and Wansford |
Environment Agency |
Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group, Nene
Valley Project, Landowners |
Implement improvements on the Nene by 2005 |
|
|
|
Create safe crossing points for Otters in
identified areas where there are high numbers of road casualties |
County Council, Highways Agency |
Environment Agency, Wildlife Trust |
As required throughout the plan period |
|
|
Objective Six: Encourage expansion of the county’s Otter
population by natural re-colonisation |
Create holts in suitable habitats and
corridors along riverbanks |
Environment Agency |
Wildlife Trust, Farming and Wildlife Advisory
Group, Local Authorities, Nene Valley Project. |
Create 10 Otter holts by 2005 |
|
|
|
Maintain old pollards and fallen regenerated
willows |
Nene Valley Project |
Environment Agency, Wildlife Trust,
Landowners |
Throughout plan period |
|
|
|
Establish and protect Otter havens at gravel
pits |
Nene Valley Project |
Mineral Operators, Local Authorities,
Wildlife Trust, Environment Agency |
Create havens at 5 sites by 2005 |
5.3
|
Future Research and Monitoring
|
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|
|
Objective Seven: Undertake regular monitoring of the
Northamptonshire Otter population |
Establish baseline information on the size of
county’s Otter population |
Environment Agency |
Wildlife Trust |
By 2003 |
|
|
|
Develop targets for the county’s Otter
population following initial survey |
Wildlife Trust |
BAP Partners |
2003 |
|
|
Objective Eight: Contribute to the national Otter monitoring
scheme |
Pass information to JNCC so that it can be
incorporated into a national database |
Environment Agency |
BAP Partners |
Throughout Plan Period |
|
|
|
Ensure all Otter corpses are sent for
post-mortem analysis, including pesticide analysis |
Environment Agency |
BAP Partners |
By 2002 |
|
|
Objective Nine: Develop a programme of Otter releases to
supplement the natural population |
Assess the potential benefits of releasing
Otters following an accurate assessment of the county’s Otter population.
Ensure that any subsequent releases comply with the guidelines set out in the
Framework for Otter Conservation |
Wildlife Trust |
Otter Trust, Environment Agency |
By 2005 |
5.4
|
Advisory
|
||||
|
|
Objective Ten: Provide advice on the promotion of suitable
land management practices targeted towards farmers and landowners |
Advise farmers/landowners on habitat
management and improvement suitable to sustain and increase the local Otter
population |
Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group |
Nene Valley Project. |
2002 |
|
|
|
Advise landowners on the effects of mink
hunting; liaise with Mink Hunts to reduce the frequency of hunting where
Otters are present, especially at known breeding sites |
Wildlife Trust |
Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group, Nene
Valley Project |
By 2003 |
5.5
|
Communications and Publicity
|
||||
|
|
Objective Eleven: Use the Eurasian Otter as a flagship species
to publicise the importance of wetland biodiversity |
Use the county’s Otter population as an
indicator of the health of Northamptonshire’s wetland habitats though regular
articles in the local media |
Environment Agency |
BAP Partners |
2005 |
|
|
|
Promote the formation of Otter Conservation
Groups. |
Wildlife Trust |
BAP Partners |
2005 |
|
|
|
Provide an annual training programme for
volunteers, particularly in the identification of Otter signs. Encourage
volunteer input into survey work. |
Wildlife Trust |
Environment Agency, English Nature |
Commencing 2002, then throughout the plan
period |
|
5.6 |
Review |
||||
|
|
Objective Twelve: Review the Otter action plan to assess
progress and, where necessary, update and amend |
|
Environment Agency |
BAP Partners |
2005 |
|
|
Objective Thirteen: Publicise the progress made in delivering
this Action Plan in a BAP Annual Report |
|
|
BAP Partners |
Annually |