Fish Loss in Austrian Fish-Ponds as a Result Of Otter (Lutra lutra L.) Predation

This paper summarises work on the relationship between otters and fish farmers in a country where there is a compensation scheme for fish losses attributed to otters. The results show that otters are no threat to fish farming. Otters do forage in fish ponds and some fish are damaged/eaten, but there is more use of large ponds than small ones. Otter predation can cause secondary damage to carp stocks. "Missing" fish are often attributed to otters when no other cause can be found. In the cold winter months when many water bodies are frozen over, fish ponds cdan be an essential food source for otters.