Salzburg: Animal rights activists criticize planned otter killing
Politicians in Salzburg are planning to get the otter by the collar in order to increase the fish population in the country. The nature conservation organization WWF sharply criticizes these plans and emphasizes the role of humans in the decline in fish stocks.
man-made fish kills
The opposing position of the WWF is clear. “Fish kills are man-made, and not even a senseless and cruel hunt for otters will change that. The main reasons for the problems are the excessive construction, pollution and overexploitation of our rivers. Salzburg must finally rectify its own failures in water protection instead of undermining species protection,” says WWF expert Christina Wolf-Petre.
The contradicting state councilor Josef Schwaiger: “We have invested millions in the country’s waters in recent years and thus have a demonstrably positive influence on the rivers and lakes. However, the fish stock could not recover. With a targeted removal of otters, we want to give the fish the chance to reproduce. For example, there will soon no longer be fishing as a hobby in Salzburg.”
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Is it illegal to kill otters?
The press spokesman for the WWF in Austria says that the basic assumption that the otter threatens fish stocks has not been scientifically confirmed. “Human interference in near-natural ecosystems and their overexploitation have far-reaching consequences. On the other hand, the assertion that otters are the main cause of endangering fish stocks and other species does not stand up to any scientific examination.” In addition, otters are under strict protection, which is why every removal has to be checked. Therefore, the country’s plans are illegal and incompatible with European nature conservation law.
Otters in Pongau are doing well
Provincial Councilor Schwaiger argues for a removal, since the stocks of otters in Pongau have risen sharply. Inspections along the Enns at 25 monitoring systems at 22 locations revealed signs of otter activity. “The otter population has doubled in the past twelve years. While there were still 130 copies in 2009, 261 were already counted in Salzburg in 2021. We also don’t want to drive the otters out of our land. About 20 otters should be removed every year,” explains Schwaiger.
Planned trapping is “not humane” extraction
Salzburg would like to remove the planned 20 otters use favor. The WWF criticizes this trapping method as “probably the most inhumane” trapping method. “Because it cannot be said which animal – whether pregnant, young, sick or old – will be killed,” said the spokesman.
Alternative proposal: more investment in water bodies
The WWF sees the waters in Austria as endangered by pollution from pollutants and nutrients such as antibiotics, pesticides or street sewage. But the climate crisis and its consequences will only make the situation worse. The WWF expert cites the official report data from the federal and state governments to the European Commission, according to which “none of the examined and protected habitats on Austria’s waters are in ‘good condition'”. Therefore, the nature conservation organization proposes a “comprehensive rehabilitation offensive for Salzburg’s waters”. “The federal funding pot, which is endowed with a total of 200 million euros, should be used much more for this purpose.”
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Previous investments are unsuccessful
Provincial Councilor Schwaiger, however, speaks of investments that have already been completed, which are said to have produced “the water quality we want”. However, despite improved river courses, fish stocks would not have recovered. “There is no basis whatsoever for the fish kills to be attributed to humans,” says Schwaiger.
Sources: sn.at, mydistrict.at