§ Mr. TrimbleTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list all the public service offices other than local government offices and the760W what research he has carried out in recent years into the (a) fish species, (b) birds and (c) mammals eaten by otters, and the effect of such predation on the number of prey species. [20588]
§ Mr. MossThere is no specific information on the numbers of otters, but surveys have confirmed that otters are present in most parts of Northern Ireland.
The Departments of Environment and of Education have sponsored research which shows that otters are entirely opportunistic in their feeding behaviour and the choice of prey depends on availability; however, mammals and birds are rarely taken. No information is available on the effects of otter predation on the numbers of prey species.