Predation

Otters are protected by law. Otters are designated and protected as European protected species (EPS). EPS are protected under the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017.

It is an offence to:

• deliberately kill, injure, disturb or capture them
• damage or destroy their breeding sites and resting places – even if otters are not present
• possess, control or transport them (alive or dead)

It is also an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 to intentionally or recklessly:

• disturb otters while they occupy a structure or place used for shelter or protection
• obstruct access to a place of shelter or protection

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/otters–advice–for–making–planning–decisions#how–otters–are–protected

Cormorants

Cormorants are fish–eating birds of marine and freshwater habitats. They are protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (WCA) and the EU Birds Directive, making it illegal to kill them or to take or destroy their eggs and nests (when in use or being built), except under licence.

Zander

As the law stands, it is illegal to return a zander or any other non–native fish species to the canal network. This is set out in the terms and conditions of our KIFR permits. You are allowed to take zander classified by DEFRA as non–native, for the pot.