American Mink (Mustela vison)

Species

Distribution

American Mink (Mustela vison)

Photo courtesy of Richie Miller DBIT

To view NBN location data click here

Impacts

Pathways

• Substantial evidence of detrimental impacts on native fauna including nesting colonial sea birds, inland waterfowl and aquatic mammals especially water voles
• Mink may also account for a large proportion of salmonid mortality in some river systems
• They also impact on economic activities such as fin-fish farming, river fisheries, game shooting, poultry farming and, indirectly, tourism, industries which contribute almost £50M p.a. (22%) to the Isles economy.

• Escapes or releases from mink farms
• Have spread through migration

Management

Prevention

Regulation of licenses to fur farms and improved fencing around the farms. Evidence suggests that habitat management may mitigate the effect of minks on water voles; in particular reed beds and isolated ponds may provide refuges.

Physical Control

At the moment lethal trapping is the only feasible method for containing or eradicating mink. Traps can be placed along the riverbank or on floating rafts. In most areas live-traps are recommended to avoid non-target impacts. Exclusion devices for otters should be used when appropriate. Research is currently being carried out to investigate effectiveness and best strategies for control trapping.

Chemical Control:

None.

Biological Control:

None.

Links

Non Native Species Secretariat Fact Sheet

Cairngorms and N.E. Scotland Water Vole Conservation Project

SNH Species Action Framework

Western Isles Hebridean Mink Project