Interreg: otter across borders (EVINBO)

The European otter (Lutra lutra) is a Natura2000 target species for the Netherlands and Flanders, meaning that its favourable conservation status must be achieved. The species has been on the rise in recent decades (especially in the Netherlands), but its entry into Flanders remains hesitant. This tentative return of the otter poses many challenges that call for a cross-border, integrated approach across organisations. This is therefore the reason for starting this Interreg project \otter across borders\, in which the central objective is to eventually achieve a coherent metapopulation of otter in the border region between Flanders and the Netherlands.
To this end, a whole range of recovery measures are included within this project, such as wetland restoration in some core areas and infrastructure defragmentation.
In addition, an important work package is planned around research and monitoring, mapping otter and fish stocks through eDNA-based techniques, and determining the quality of fish (as a food source) through pollutant research. It is therefore in this work package that INBO assumes responsibility.
Finally, efforts are also being made to create public support (education, knowledge exchange, raising awareness, etc.).