For Upper Austria’s fishermen, the state’s new otter ordinance is a reason to breathe a sigh of relief. While the otter has been high on the list of endangered native mammal species in recent years, fish stocks in native waters have suffered from the predator. Entire breeding ponds are said to have been eaten empty by the animals, the fishermen complain. “Now the otter population is well above its natural level, and we are happy about this step,” says state fisherman Siegfried Pilgerstorfer.
With around 646 animals, the otter population has now reached a favorable conservation status, according to the state of Upper Austria. This was the result of the Upper Austrian otter monitoring, which was carried out under the scientific direction of Steven Weiss and the Biology Institute of the Karl-Franzens-University Graz. The assessment period for the otter ordinance should last until April 28 (the OÖN reported). “It was important to me to create precise legal requirements for a removal that receives broad-based approval,” says Hunting and Agricultural Minister Michaela Langer-Weninger (VP).
A total of 34 comments were received, seven of which were negative. The decision of the state government will allow otters to be hunted in certain regions from mid-September. State fisherman Pilgerstorfer does not expect any rapid changes in fish stocks from the ordinance. “There are numerous endangered fish species that could no longer exist in Upper Austria without the care of the fishermen, such as the brown trout. It’s a step in the right direction, but there will certainly be many regulations.”
Otter hunting will initially be permitted until autumn 2028. (cape)
Source: Nachrichten
