Recovering otter populations have come into conflict with angling fisheries and fish farms, requiring welfare-sensitive management approaches that protect otters and resolve conflict.
Conflict between recovering otter populations and fishing interests creates welfare considerations for both otters and the fish they prey upon. Otters trapped in fish farm netting can drown — a welfare emergency — requiring prompt rescue. Persecution of otters by people protecting fisheries has historically caused significant mortality and remains a welfare concern where attitudes toward otter recovery are hostile. Constructive conflict resolution through electric fencing grants and compensation schemes reduces the economic incentive for illegal persecution. The welfare of individual otters is best protected through approaches that resolve human-wildlife conflict non-lethally while acknowledging the legitimate economic concerns of affected fishery owners.