NatureScot Review 86: Review of the potential impacts of re-introducing Eurasian beaver Castor fiber L. on the ecology and movement of native fishes, and the likely implications for current angling practices in Scotland
In Scotland, beaver would have no major predators, they would be capable of travelling within and between catchments, and they would be able to alter the environment to suit their own needs. Such alterations could be harmful or beneficial to fish populations and it would be difficult to generalise as each case would have to be assessed individually. Thus beaver re-introduced to Scotland would require a policy of active management. It is concluded that, following any successful re-introduction, there would eventually be areas of conflict with fisheries interests. The time taken to reach this situation and the seriousness of the problems would depend ultimately upon the effectiveness of a beaver management programme. Fisheries authorities would be unlikely to support the re-introduction of this mammal unless they were presented with such a programme. In order to increase the value of this article as a working document, a review of Eurasian beaver ecology and behaviour is also included.
Pages: 63
Published: 1997
