TITLE: Dressed cub

A composite image using one of the RTC otters I have periodically collected for an otter research project and a brown crab shell. What is the link between these two elements?

Coastal otters don’t ordinarily die at sea.
Instead, sick or elderly animals make
their way inland to seek shelter. This is
evident from the bones of a holt’s previous
occupants, which are often found among
the excavated earth and spraint outside
the entrance. This raises the question of
how otherwise healthy, far from geriatric
otters can be found washed up on the
high-tide line. How could an animal so
adept to life among the waves drown? The
answer seems to lie in creels, or lobster
pots as they are commonly known.
After finding an average of one otter
per year washed up in such a way, I began
to ask questions. Otter experts and those
with fishing connections confirmed my
suspicion that otters were drowning in
creels. I must be clear on something
here: I am in no way attacking creel boat
operators. Sea food is an integral part
of coastal community life, and nobody
wants to be catching otters – they are
a species almost universally adored
in Shetland. I hope that by drawing
attention to this issue with an image,
discussions can be had on how to
mitigate accidental otter trapping without
negatively affecting local industry.

AUTHOR: James Rogerson (United Kingdom)

James is a naturalist and photographer living and working in the Shetland Islands. After several years of travelling there for its incredible wildlife (especially otters) he made a permanent move in 2021. He has a background working in zoological institutions and worked for many years as a senior lecturer in animal and wildlife management, he also holds a degree in Animal Behaviour.

He is now a full time wildlife guide. Working between Shetland and the West Coast of Scotland and where since the age of five he has been developing his fieldcraft and  love of costal wildlife. James has worked with and photographed wildlife in destinations across Asia, Africa and Europe, his photography has been recognised and awarded across both national and international competitions. What is perhaps more telling, so have a number of clients while under his guidance.