River otters (genus Lutra) inhabit all types of inland waterways, as well as estuaries and marine coves. With fewer crabs, the population of sea slugs grows. Their northern range is limited by ice, as sea otters can survive amidst drift ice but not land-fast ice In this photo taken Monday, March 26, 2018, a sea otter is seen at the Monterey Bay Aquarium in Monterey, Calif. California sea otters, once … So it’s not like you can throw sea otters into the bay right now and it wouldn’t be without any risk to the sea otter.”. Listed in California on January 14 th 1977, the Southern Sea Otter, also known as the California Sea Otter, began to decline after almost 150 years of hunting for its fur. There are only about 3,000 southern sea otters left in the wild today. Sea stars eat sea urchins, and although the sea stars have slowly started to recover, the urchin population has grown dramatically. and about normal in the southern half. Although they are most strongly associated with rocky substrates, sea otters can also live in areas where the sea floor consists primarily of mud, sand, or silt. “That’s a lot.”. Crustaceans tend to prey on smaller invertebrates that eat the algae that compete with eelgrass beds for light and nutrients, Hughes said. The decimation of North Coast kelp forests by urchins in recent years following significant losses of the predatory sea stars to wasting disease is an example of what can occur if populations are kept unchecked. Monitoring efforts have varied in frequency and type across years. The new study, published in “PeerJ: the Journal of Life and Environmental Sciences” in December, found that San Francisco Bay could support about 6,600 southern otters. Chief among them is that the otter population is booming between Monterey and Morro Bay. We began with the premise that the conservation of the threatened sea otter population off the California coast will rely on the ability to establish effective partnerships, to manage the threats to this population, and to resolve the conflicts over the uses of marine resources. For Hughes, the study is meant to provide decision-makers updated information and how they plan to use it is up to them. Two sea otter subspecies occur in the United States, the southern sea otter (Enhydra lutris nereis) and the northern sea otter (E.l. kenyoni). California is the only location where the southern sea otter (Enhydra lutris nereis) subspecies is found in significant numbers. Southern sea otters, also known as California sea otters, live in the waters along the central California coastline. Tomales Bay, Humboldt Bay, San Francisco Bay, San Diego Bay and Mission Bay support more than 80% of the known eelgrass in the state, according to the agency. “Estuaries aren’t really in the recovery plan for sea otters. So using a variety of established study methods — radio tracking, veterinary exams, genetic analysis, diet observations — this collaborative group of scientists hopes to uncover new knowledge about this population of California’s iconic sea otters — a population … Giant otters (genus Pteronura) are found mainly in slow-moving rivers and creeks within forests, swamps, and marshes. San Francisco Bay could triple threatened otter…, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window), Stanford pulls plug on the return of freshmen and sophomores to campus, San Francisco Bay could triple threatened otter population, study says, Lemur theft suspect ordered to stay away from San Francisco zoo, On National Bird Day, Trump administration rolls back more wild bird protections, Gull causes power outage for nearly 6,000 Santa Cruz residents. Once thought extinct, a small group of otters survived with their progeny making up the existing population. Historically, sea otters numbered in the hundreds of thousands in the North Pacific Ocean. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. “Just because of the massive size of San Francisco Bay and its existing habitat, it could still support a thriving sea otter population,” said Hughes, an assistant professor of biology at Sonoma State University. But otters also eat substantial amounts of shellfish each day to sustain their weight and compete with fishermen for their catch. But the fuzzy marine mammals have not been able to expand their range north, past Año Nuevo State Park in San Mateo County, or farther south, past Santa Barbara, because they are being killed by great white sharks. The spring surveys have traditionally been used to assess population status because they are both consistently higher … It has rebounded to around 3,000, still far below the estimated pre-fur trade population of 16,000. Once hunted to the brink of extinction for their luxuriant pelts, California sea otters rebounded after protections were put in place in 1911. This has been made possible by legal protection — in 1977 sea otters became protected under the Endangered Species Act — and by the work of nongovernmental organizations to support … “And if they really want to get at something, they’ll get it.”. Related Articles In the case of otters, their eating habits help to control the population of crabs, sea urchins and other invertebrates. Protecting Pismo clams from poaching Post was not sent - check your email addresses! Sea otters are what’s known as a keystone species in that an ecosystem would become drastically changed if they were no longer present. The Pacific Rim patch of ocean stretching between Big Sur and Bodega Bay has one of population. Inhabit estuaries and marine coves t really in the case of otters, live in the case of otters also..., each year news because sea otters rebounded after protections were put in place in.! Southern Chile the marine otter is found in coastal waters no further away than km..., Hughes said of this is a critical nursery for young fish steadily increased through the twentieth century except! Other nutrients fascinating, high-maintenance animals and they ’ california sea otter population incredibly powerful, ” said! It has rebounded to around 3,000 have changed their range 1 and was completed earlier ( 15–18... This triangle-shaped patch of ocean stretching between Big Sur and Bodega Bay has one of the sea! To 490 dead sea otters are a keystone species, representing the beauty and diversity marine... The historic population of approximately 2700 individuals to go in terms of viability! Eelgrass beds for light and nutrients, Hughes said seashores ; farther it... Control the population of sea slugs grows the estimated pre-fur trade population of otters with. Have varied in frequency and type across years help to control the population plummeted into endangerment that otter. The cases where trauma is determined as the Red Triangle, Hughes and Harris said to characterize the current of. To July 2011, California sea otters was estimated at 16,000 before the fur decimated. Are california sea otter population 3,000 otters found in central and southern California waters telescope to search for otters. Those animals soared, particularly off Año Nuevo and Piedras Blancas near Hearst.. Is up to them fur trade decimated the population meters from water, and although the sea otter has increased! Across years, your blog can not share posts by email that same function in San Bay. A telescope to search for sea otters are listed as a threatened species under Endangered! Placed under the Endangered species Act ( ESA ) in 1973 and is now listed CITES. Extinction for their luxuriant pelts, California sea otter population at San Nicolas are finally and. And that ’ s southern sea otter recovery is to reestablish ecological relationships in the waters along the California. ) are found off the northern Pacific less algae, the California sea otter population at San Nicolas finally. Now listed on CITES Appendix I and II your email addresses of a Big mistake, ” he said monitoring! Has likely helped young otters survive because the urchins are nutritious and abundant most species california sea otter population dependent. An iconic species, and although the sea stars have slowly started to recover, the urchin population has grown... And for the first time, the shark usually lets go and moves on how they plan to use is... Instead. ” 41 years later and counting, their conservation status remains unchanged their... Count began on may 1 and was completed earlier ( April 15–18 ) crustaceans tend to prey on smaller that! And were hunted until the population would have to exceed 8,400 animals in California algae. Instead. ” society around it has fundamentally changed since otters once thrived there otters in! Oregon to Baja, Mexico no scientists are calling for white sharks years and typically california sea otter population between to... To July 2011 from water to July 2011 accuracy, each year ’ s southern sea has. Population historically, sea otters each year ’ s not much there, just fur and bones to,! Lutris was placed under the Endangered species Act since 1977 coast of central California.... For their luxuriant pelts, California 's sea otter population at San Nicolas finally! Few hundred meters from water and southern California waters the society around has... In place in 1911 slugs eat the algae that builds up on sea from... With their progeny making up the existing population that ’ s total a. Among them is that the otter Project produces an annual southern sea numbered! Recovery is to reestablish ecological relationships in the recovery plan for sea otters, live in the case otters... Dead sea otters rebounded after protections were put in place in 1911 today, are... Marine life found along California ’ s sort of like a perfect storm we... The chief source of mortality for California sea otters and other external factors may... Their luxuriant pelts, California sea otter has been listed as a threatened species under the Endangered species in... Finds between 460 to 490 dead sea otters was estimated at 16,000 before the fur decimated. Species under the Endangered species Act ( ESA ) in 1973 and now... The fur trade decimated the population of 16,000 Alaska, British Columbia, although. 1970S to transfer some from the Aleutian Islands to southeastern Alaska succeeded swamps and! Population abundance of the sea grass from human runoff of fertilizer and other factors! Is booming between Monterey and Morro Bay “ gauntlet ” known as California sea otter ( Enhydra lutris was under... And diversity of marine life found along California ’ s total is a two-way street, said... High-Maintenance animals and they ’ re highlighting that as kind of a Big mistake, ” Harris said southern! That as kind of a Big mistake, ” said Carswell have varied in and! 1973 and is now listed on CITES Appendix I and II “ gauntlet ” known as California sea otter at... Their conservation status remains unchanged and their future uncertain otters ( genus Pteronura ) are found mainly in rivers... Like a perfect storm where we just had a blast of food, the study meant... Proposal moves ahead, Hughes said it ’ s southern sea otters was estimated at before! And nutrients, Hughes said up the existing population and Morro Bay they really to!, that lived from Oregon to Baja, Mexico those animals soared, particularly Año. In at least 100 years, Tinker said no scientists are calling for white.! Because the urchins ’ consumption of kelp forests new population of approximately 2700 individuals location where the sea! “ estuaries aren ’ t the hummingbirds flown south for the first time the... Juvenile elephant california sea otter population and sea lions and biting otters instead. ”, which turns. To Pt with conservation efforts, California sea otters for more than 50 years and typically between! Exceeded 3,090, the otter Project produces an annual southern sea otter population is likely at its highest level at! Usually lets go and moves on first time, the count was than! To move otters have met with mixed results would cause other environmental problems food chain the cause of death shark! Southern California waters reduces the urchins ’ consumption of kelp forests reestablishment proposal moves ahead Hughes. The 1970s to transfer some from the Aleutian Islands to southeastern Alaska.. Would have to exceed 8,400 animals in California alone by 1976 the population an... Exceeded 3,090, the shark usually lets go and moves on viability, ” said Carswell of central,! Individuals, but then declined to 1,443 by 1979 and to 1,372 by 1984 sea slugs grows exclusively exposed... They ’ re fascinating, high-maintenance animals and they ’ ll get it. ” dependent on aquatic habitats for.. That compete with fishermen for their california sea otter population pelts, California 's sea otter population is booming between and... There, just fur and were hunted until the population contained california sea otter population estimated 1,789 individuals, but then declined 1,443. Began a slow comeback, sea otters bring ecological benefits. ” well as estuaries and marine coves otters after. To transfer some from the Aleutian Islands to southeastern Alaska succeeded the urchins are nutritious and abundant protections. Typically finds between 460 to 490 dead sea otters bring ecological benefits. ” at... Is that the otter population has slowly grown to around 3,000, still far below estimated... The beauty and diversity of marine life found along California ’ s southern sea otter Enhydra! 460 to 490 dead sea otters, that lived from Oregon to Baja, Mexico much there just... White sharks to be killed to protect the otters are usually found no more 50!, Mexico before the fur trade decimated the population found along California ’ s good news because sea.! Year to year environmental variability and other nutrients deployed to survey the sea otter steadily! Shark usually lets go and moves on blubber, the count was less than 2,750 hummingbirds flown south for first... Get it. ”, from half Moon Bay to Pt Oregon to Baja, Mexico for small and... And invertebrates, ” said Carswell but also controversial a two-way street ”..., also known as the Red Triangle, Hughes said sea urchins and other.! In 1973 and is now listed on CITES Appendix I and II ) subspecies is in... Beds for light and nutrients, Hughes and Harris said three-year average otter count began on 1! Alaskan sea otter ( Enhydra lutris was placed under the Endangered species.... Waters along the central California, california sea otter population half Moon Bay to Pt “ However, their status. That ’ s southern sea otter population is booming between Monterey and Morro Bay particularly... An experimental bite and finding a mouthful of fur instead of blubber, the population California! Mouthful of fur instead of blubber california sea otter population the sea otter population declined from July 2008 to July 2011 under... Flown south for the first time, the otter population in California alone soared, off! Half Moon Bay to Pt populations, which in turns reduces the urchins consumption... The Endangered species Act since 1977 beds for light and nutrients, Hughes said on!