No problem with pike

I REFER to your recent article concerning the picture of an otter taking a pike on the Lancaster Canal (allegedly). The Pike Angler's Club (PAC)  have the fishing rights on the canal and I, as fishery manager, run the fishing on behalf of PAC, writes Eric Edwards.

Whilst I acknowledge that your article was aimed at CaRT, admonishing them for removing the photograph from its site, I feel it necessary to comment on the content which refers to our club and to anglers in general.

Remain unmolested

We have been aware of the presence of otters at our fishery for several years now and we have no problem with that. Obviously they take fish, but then so do our target species the pike and we understand fully the role an apex predator plays in an aquatic ecosystem. The otters on the Lancaster Canal are a welcome addition and they will continue to remain unmolested for as long as we control the fishery.

With regard to anglers calling for them to be killed, your article does refer to this being 'an insignificant minority of anti-wildlife criminals', which is exactly what it is. The majority of anglers would not behave in such a manner and we are extremely angry that a tiny number of thugs give the rest of us a bad name in this way.

Lifelong anglers such as myself are also lifelong naturalists, fishing is really only a great excuse to enjoy the countryside and its wildlife in a personal and intimate manner for us. I guess that's something we share with the boating fraternity.