Fewer and fewer muskrats in our region
In 2022, we caught 32% fewer muskrats than in 2021. That is a significant drop in the number of captures compared to last year. And that is good news, because it means we are getting the population under better and better control. Total catches fell from 1,292 muskrats in 2021 to 882 in 2022. Our goal of eventually having no muskrats region in our region by 2034 is getting closer and closer.
Catching for our safety
We combat muskrats because they damage flood defences and riverbanks by digging burrows and tunnels in dykes. They also build nesting chambers with extensive underground tunnel systems. They can cause subsidence in dykes and flood embankments, which we want to prevent.
The control of muskrats and coypu is regulated by law in our country. The goal is to keep the population as small as possible so that the damage caused can be managed.
| Muskrat catches in 2022 compared to 2021 | Catches 2022 | Catches in 2021 | difference (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Noorderzijlvest Water Authority | 882 | 1.292 | -32% |
| Drents Overijsselse Delta Water Authority | 1.655 | 1.742 | -5% |
| Hunze & Aa’s Water Authority | 2.350 | 2.313 | 2% |
| Vechtstromen Water Authority | 2.063 | 2.244 | -8% |
| Total for the Northeast Netherlands | 6.950 | 7.591 | -9% |
Muskrat management
More information: