Otters
Advice and legislation relating to otters.
Legal status
Otters are currently increasing in number and distribution after a prolonged period of decline. They receive protection under both the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981
(as amended) and The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010. Otters and their resting places are fully protected, it is an offence to deliberately, capture, injure or kill them or to damage, destroy or obstruct their breeding or resting places. It is also an offence to disturb otters in their breeding or resting places.
There is, however, provision within the legislation to kill, take, disturb or possess otters or to use prohibited methods to kill or take under a licence in certain defined circumstances, if the issue cannot be resolved by any alternative means.
Natural England Wildlife Management and Licensing administers licence applications for the following purposes:
- science, education or conservation, ringing or marking
- the protection of a zoological collection
- preventing serious damage to livestock, food for livestock, crops, vegetables, fruit, growing timber, or any other form of property or to fisheries
- preventing the spread of disease
- preserving public health or public safety or other imperative reasons of overriding public interest (such as development)
- possession of species or derivatives (Note: some possession situations can be covered under general licences)
Advice & leaflets - resolving problems
Often potential conflicts between otters and people can be resolved without recourse to any licensed action. Natural England produces a range of leaflets on otter biology, management of sites and avoiding committing offences in relation to otters:
- IN111 - Ecology of the European Otter
- IN112 - Monitoring the Otter
- IN129 - Otter Breeding Sites - Conservation and management
- R664 - Monitoring otters in SACs: testing the protocol
- Otter: European Protected Species - SIN 006: Guidance for land managers
- Guidance on disturbance - interpreting the legislation: (211kb)
- Otters and stillwater fisheries guidance: (1.96mb) - Environment Agency / Wildlife Trusts leaflet
- Otter Surveys - when do I need a licence? WML-G02: (77kb)
- Otters the facts - Envornment Agency leaflet
You may also find the answers to our frequently asked questions: (562kb) useful. If the activity you propose cannot be carried out without a licence please download one of our application forms below. If you require specific advice contact us.
You may also find the Environment Agency pages on otters useful. If your fishery has public access you may be able to obtain financial support from your local Environment Agency offices for protection from otters under the fisheries project bid funding or from other funding streams such as the Heritage Lottery Fund.
If you find a dead otter please contact the Environment Agency.
How to apply for a licence
If you wish to apply for a licence you will need to complete a form. The forms can be downloaded from this website, then they can either be posted to the address on the form or completed electronically and submitted by e-mail. If you are unable to download a form they can be obtained directly from Wildlife Management and Licensing. There is no charge for this licence or for advice.
Following receipt of your completed application, a Wildlife Management Adviser may contact you to discuss the case or arrange a visit to the site where the problem is occurring. The adviser will assess the situation and provide guidance on the remedial options available where applicable.
We aim to process damage, agriculture and overriding public interest related licence applications in 30 working days from date of receipt and science, education, conservation and possession cases in 15 working days.
Please download an application form using the links below:
- Overriding public interest (including development) This application form is in 3 parts, all have to be completed.
- Science, education, conservation or protection of a zoological collection or apply online
- Damage to fisheries: (312kb)
- please note there is not a specific form for fish eating mammals so the current form refers to birds
