We are now in 2025 and are halfway through our otter project - RePress. The motivation behind this project stems from the reemerging conflict caused by otters preying on the threatened Atlantic salmon, coupled with the limited management options (such as culling) currently available. Our goal is to understand the ecological relationship between these two species and hopefully identify alternative management strategies, including various deterrents, to reduce conflict levels while promoting coexistence between otters and salmon.
During the past two years, we have conducted research on a range of topics. Firstly, by building on the pilot project from the Søre Vartdalselva and Aureelva rivers (you can find the study from the pilot project here), we have extended our research to the Bondalselva river, where we have been tagging adult salmon with radio tags and tracking them throughout the spawning season. This initiative has provided us with a comprehensive dataset that includes variations between rivers (habitat, salmon stock size, and condition) and within rivers (variation in salmon run). In the coming year, we will begin analyzing this dataset, which we hope will reveal some of the dynamics between otters and salmon.
Secondly, given the interdisciplinary nature of our project, we have conducted extensive surveys at both national and local levels (in Møre and Romsdal, Norway, where our case rivers are located). These surveys investigate attitudes towards otters, salmon, management strategies, predator culling, and a range of other topics. This information will help us understand what the general public considers acceptable regarding future mitigation strategies. Thirdly, we are testing a range of otter deterrents in the field to identify harmless methods to keep otters away from conflict areas.
Finally, we have conducted an experiment along the Bondalselva river, involving participants equipped with biometric rings (measuring skin conductivity as an indicator of stress) and questionnaires. Four stations were set up along the river, each featuring different otter deterrents (including a control). The aim is to understand local acceptance and stress response to these deterrents. Ideally, we will identify effective otter deterrents that can serve as alternatives to culling while being acceptable to the local community.
In the years ahead, we will continue with more fieldwork and analysis of the already sampled data. Publications will be made available as they are published.
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