La protection de la loutre d' Europe (Lutra lutra) en France, un bon exemple de la necessaire complementarite des politiques. Protection de l' espece, de ses habitats et protection integree.
1996
Levy Bruhl V.
The European otter was legally protected in France in 1972. This protection, which forbids all kinds of voluntary destruction of otters, has probably made it possible to stop the slow decline of this species. However other factors threaten otters: wetland loss, artificialisation of river-beds and pollution of waterways and streams. The protection of the otter's habitats allows the solution of a certain number of these problems. The species has thus benefited from the creation of "otter havens" - that is privately owned reserves - negociated between a landowner and an association for the preservation of nature - the S.F.E.P.M. These agreements promote the preservation of the habitats used by otters. Public authorities, through legal regulations contribute. These actions should multiply as a result of international and Community agreements of our country in this sphere (the Bern Convention and the EC "habitats" Directive). But protection of the species and its habitat will not be enough, as France will not become a vast nature reserve. This protection has to be included in the political decisions for developpment, wether they concern: the planning and management of water stocks, the decision making through impact studies, road and waterways development (mitigation should involve the creation of free ways for otters), or the making of decisions related to agri-environmental farming policies (EC). No doubt, any improvement in the situation of otters will depend largely on the efforts made within existing regulation. Success may depend simply on public and professional attitudes.
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