River Otter Introduction – A Disastrous, Short-sighted Undertaking

The SRD and Fish & Wildlife management teams continually demonstrate short-sightedness and an utter lack of ability to ensure the health and welfare of the fisheries within their jurisdiction.

A prime example of their failure to consider the consequences of their actions is the introduction of River Otters to the Clearwater division, specifically the East slope streams & lakes.

Making A Bad Situation Worse

The Clearwater/East Slope region contains confined, susceptible streams and lakes with low fish carrying capabilities, low fishery recruitment and rampant illegal retention rates. Trout populations suffer here, especially the mature trout that provide the very best angling experience and help to ensure the future of the population.

The F&W management team was fully aware of this vulnerability when they introduced harmful numbers of river otter to the region in 1990 and again in 1992.

View the evidence of this for yourself here.

River otters are at the top of the food chain and have no known natural predators. They consume massive quantities of fish and reproduce quickly with an average litter of 3 to 4 pups. Since their introduction the otters have been left relatively alone to reproduce at will.

What Were They Thinking?!

These are the well-paid custodians of our natural capital. What would drive them to introduce river otters to a highly vulnerable region without thought or care for the long-term repercussions of these actions?

This is just one more example of the devastating mismanagement practices of the SRD and Fish & Wildlife executives. We believe Albertans deserve much better.