IUCN/SCC Otter Specialist Group Bulletin
©IUCN/SCC Otter Specialist Group

Volume 22 Issue 1 Pages 1 - 44 (April 2005)

IUCN/SCC OSG Group
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From the Chairman's Desk

Towards the middle of this year I was invited by the Species Survival Commission to take up the position of Chair of the Otter Specialist Group. After discussions with various colleagues and messages of support from members of the Group, I finally accepted the appointment at the end of October.

The untimely death of Claus Reuther at the end of last year has made the role of the new Chair more difficult, in particular, there has been no period of ‘hand over’ to discuss how the Group might continue to evolve and develop and to know what activities etc it has agreed to undertake. Therefore, in my role as Chair, I will have lot to learn and to do so very quickly. Two issues that immediately spring to mind are the development of the Action Plan and the organisation of the 2007 Otter conference in South Korea. In addition it is important that I become more aware of the aspirations of the membership. The recent Otter Workshop in Italy was an opportunity to begin the latter.

The appointment is for 12 months in the first instance, at the end of that time a decision will be made on whether to continue with the appointment or go for another appointee. The decision rests with either the Chair of the SSC or the Chair of the OSG. This seems an ideal approach. It gives both Chairs the opportunity to become ‘familiar with each other’ and at the end of 12 months, determine what is the best course of action for the Group

As the Chair, I see my roles as very much that of link between the members and the SSC – effectively a facilitator and manager. It is through the Chair that information from the SSC and other sources can be made available to members of the Group. But equally important, the Chair is a route through which their points of view can be discussed and if applicable be put to the SSC.

It must be remembered that the Group is only as good as its members and that they contribute to the success of the OSG. Individuals are invited to join the OSG because the have been identified as being able to make important contributions to the conservation of otters. A role, I hope that you will all continue to maintain. One of the first jobs that the Chair has to do is to examine the current membership and update it.

The arrival of a new Chair is often seen as an opportunity to change and take new directions. However, since the initial appointment is for 12 months, it is not my intention to make wholesale changes. To this end, I have asked the current Continental co-ordinators to continue in post, and am pleased to say, that to date, none have declined. I am already indebted to them for their help and advice – thank you.

Over the next few months there will be much to learn, and the curve will be steep. I have ideas as to how I see the Group can evolve – I would not have agreed to accept the appointment if I did not have my own ideas (many of which have resulted from discussions with colleagues). However, the members must also have ideas as how the Group might develop. We will all have ideas and priorities – these need to be raised and perhaps discussed further. Therefore, as Chair, please let me know your ideas, some may enhance our operations others perhaps might not.

It is likely that the Bulletin will remain the main means through which the activities of the Group will be disseminated to the membership.

Within this Group there is an unrivalled pool of expertise, we must ensure that this is properly used and channelled. Over the past few months it has been pointed out that membership of the OSG is voluntary and that we are prepared to give our time freely to achieve the aims of the Group. As members, we must never forget this and ensure that the demands we make on each other are reasonable and practical.
The next year for me is likely to be exciting and interesting. As the new Chair, I hope that I do not let down all those who have put their faith in me. I can only promise to do my best for the Group and that for you all my best will be good enough.

To end with can I mention a couple of events:

Firstly the recent Italian otter work shop (see report by Anna Loy). This was a very successful meeting, in no short measure due to the organisation of the event. All of us who attended must have found the meeting stimulating and interesting. In addition, the organisers ensured that the ‘inner man’ was well satisfied with such a high standard of catering. My personal thanks to you and your colleagues, Anna.

Secondly, the end of the year should see the publication of the proceedings of the most recent Skye conference. Anyone interested in receiving information on how they might receive a copy please contact me.

Jim Conroy
Celtic Environment Ltd.,
Old Mart Road
Torphins
Aberdeenshire, AB31 4JG
UNITED KINGDOM
e-mail: jim@celticenvironment.com

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