| Summary: | Predatory mammals compete with humans for game, livestock and fish. The otter (Lutra lutra L.) inhabits the whole river system in Bulgaria, including fish ponds, coming into conflict with fish producers causing damage due to its feeding habits. To clarify the manifestations of the conflict, an anonymous questionnaire among fish farmers and workers was provided. According to the survey, the market-sized fish was affected the most (93.75% of the respondents) by otter’s attacks, to a lesser extent the juveniles - 63.75% and the broodstocks - 62.5%, respectively. In the current study, 43.75% of
respondents claimed that weed fish also suffers damage. A total of 77.5% of the respondents have tried to overcome the problem. In the present study, there was no report for using a non-lethal method. It can be concluded that the "Otter-fish producers conflict" in Bulgaria will be mitigated if compensations are provided for the economic losses.
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