My problem with the otter, herons, and grebes is appearances. I am managing ponds or supposed to be. I am at least compensated to do so. It appears I am not doing my job when they run or fly amok. The damage they cause is bad on all fronts. When they maim and don't kill a fish it turns into fungus fish, barely swimming under the surface, covered with gray fungus, dying a slow and lingering death. Or the carcasses strewn on the shore, fish I have spent countless hours cultivating, only to be wasted for nothing on the shore. I have even refused jobs where residents wanted the otters to hang out because they were so cute and cuddly looking. And they of course want excellent fishing also. Hey, you can't have both. It is a little different when you own your own pond and can say, no sweat, it does not bother me. But when you are getting paid to manage the situation, people or customers expect results. Poppers, bottle rockets and noisemakers are only good for a few instances, then the birds figure out, I'm not hurt, and learn to ignore them. The point is I would let them have thier share if they ate what they caught and I did not appear to not be doing what I am paid for. They force my hand, and I do what my customers expect, and don't want to know how or why.
