Developers were this week being urged to play their part in helping secure the future of ther otter population.

The Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) has launched a new information booklet, 'Otters and Development', promoting the protection of otters through sensitive development.

Otters are a European protected species. Their legal protection was a response to rapid declines in populations across the whole of Europe over the last century due to culling, pollution of watercourses, lack of food, habitat loss and hunting for sport and the fur trade.

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Lisa Maddox Scientific Officer with NIEA said: "Thankfully, otters are no longer persecuted and recent survey information encouragingly shows a recovery in the population in Northern Ireland.

"However, they are still threatened by human disturbance, recreation, pollution and habitat loss as a consequence of development," she said.

To ensure that otter numbers continue to improve it is essential that they are fully considered in proposals for development.

Lisa added: "The booklet provides basic advice for developers, planning officers and others who may come across otter issues related to planning.

"It also provides an overview of the potential implications of development and the current protective legislation and a framework for ensuring that adequate measures are put in place to protect otters from the possible consequences of development."

(GK/BMcC)