I WOULD refer to your article on the river Wye regarding dead salmon and the various reasons which could have caused this (Why are our salmon dying? July 6).

There was mention of water pollution from phosphates and chicken waste, and a lack of oxygen as well as an increasing numbers of canoeists.

There was, though, no mention of the thriving otter population, which does not appear to be affected by tourists, canoeists anglers or anything else for that matter.

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I see otters along the Wye every time I walk a water bailiff round and particularly at dusk towards nightfall as they are mainly nocturnal hunters, formidable too. They will disturb salmon spawning runs and frighten many fish. The fish population is decreasing as a result of the thriving population.

I have still fish stripped of flesh, heads removed and even livers ripped out and the fish left to die. As you must be aware, all fish are eaten alive; even salmon, pike barbel and carp up to 30lbs in weight.

The otter situation needs to be reviewed since its policy, which was adopted in the early 1970s.

MARK PETERSEN

Walford

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