Below is the response received from Natural England,after hearing they had helped introduce Otters into the River Ouse. I did ask if they or partners would be compensating farmers fishing clubs private lake owners for loss of income due to the intoduction of otters, and fast decline in fish stocks, they didnt answer the question
Many thanks for your email to which I have been asked to respond.
In answer to your central query, Natural England have not re-introduced otters into England.
Until the 1960s, otters were widespread and common throughout England (including East Anglia). It is thought that the introduction of certain pesticides in the late 1950s led to a significant decline in their numbers and reduced their range to the point where they became confined to Wales and the north and southwest of England. This restriction in their range continued until these pesticides were eventually banned in the 1970s and 1980s. At that time, it was feared the otter may become extinct in England.
In response to this decline, the Otter Trust released 117 captive-bred otters between 1983 and 1999 (an average of only 7 a year) to try and help the species recover some of its former range. Throughout this time the surviving otter populations in western England and Wales also began a natural recovery and spread eastwards. Populations in the north of England also began to recover. It must be noted that the recovery of this species is mainly the result of improvement in habitat quality, rather than the limited re-introductions made by other organisations. This modest reintroduction programme (not funded or undertaken by Natural England) soon became less significant as the natural recovery of the otter population gained momentum.
I hope this answers your queries.
Regards
Cressida
Cressida Mansfield
Wildlife Management Adviser
Natural England
Wildlife Management Licensing Service
Eastbrook, Shaftesbury Road, Cambridge, CB2 8DR
Tel: 01245 237682 (Please note new number)
e-mail:
cressida.mansfield@naturalengland.org.uk
website:
Natural England - Wildlife Management and Licensing
Natural England is here to conserve and enhance the natural environment,
for its intrinsic value, the wellbeing and enjoyment of people and the
economic prosperity that it brings.