Contrary to the story in today's Times newspaper, the Angling Trust has not called for a cull of otters. This part of the story is completely untrue and we wish to reassure anglers and the general public about this urgently.
The person quoted as being an Angling Trust spokesman is not an employee or spokesman of the organisation, and says that he has never spoken to The Times. The journalist did not contact the Trust to verify the 'story'.
The Angling Trust office has received many e-mails and telephone calls about this subject today, all of which have expressed dismay at these reports. The comments on the Times web site and from members of the public demonstrate the strength of public feeling about this issue, and the damage that would be done to angling if anglers were ever to call for a cull.
Mike Heylin, Chairman of the Angling Trust, has written to the paper's editor demanding a retraction and apology.
Angling Trust is campaigning vigorously on behalf of all anglers to ensure that our rivers are healthy enough to support populations of both otters and fish. We have also lobbied the Environment Agency to release funds to help fisheries to fence their waters, and otherwise deter otters, if practicable.
Notes for Editors:
Angling Trust is the national governing body for all angling in England. It represents its membership of more than 1,300 angling clubs and 13,500 anglers.
The original story in the Times is here: www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/environment
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