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For Immediate Release
Fishing and Sea Otter Groups Collaborate on Farr Sea Otter Bill
Rep. Farr to Reintroduce Bill to Target Funding for Sea Otter Research
Monterey, Calif. - Defenders of Wildlife, Friends of the Sea Otter, The Humane Society of the United States, The Ocean Conservancy, and Sea Otter Defense Initiative, a project of Earth Island Institute, joined with representatives of the California Sea Urchin Commission to support Representative Sam Farr's Southern Sea Otter Recovery and Research Act, which he reintroduced today. The conservation groups lauded the efforts of the sea urchin fishing representatives and applaud Representative Farr for his continued fight to help recover the California sea otter. With the support of the fishing community, the chance to pass the legislation increases significantly.
"This collaboration among our groups marks a significant move forward with efforts to pass the bill," said Jim Curland, Marine Program Associate for Defenders of Wildlife. "We've got to increase scientific research into the threats facing otters if we want to understand what is happening to the California sea otter population. That's how we'll get the sea otter back on the road to recovery."
The Southern Sea Otter Recovery and Research Act would provide funding for federal sea otter population recovery and research programs. The bill will also help provide a better understanding of the health of California's coastal marine ecosystems—a vital economic resource for the state and the nation----through various programs, which include a full health assessment of the sea otter population.
"The recovery of the California sea otter depends heavily on the cooperation of all us – environmental groups, fisheries, the government and individuals," said D'Anne Albers, Executive Director, Friends of the Sea Otter. “Together we can affect positive changes in the ocean habitat of all marine species, which, in turn, will lead to healthier populations, increased economic growth and long-term viability.”
The California sea otter was listed as a threatened species in 1977. A revised version of the Southern Sea Otter Recovery Plan was released in April 2003. This plan states that the sea otter population is at extreme risk from habitat degradation from oil spills and environmental contaminants and human-caused mortality from entanglement in fisheries gear, shootings, boat strikes and other human activities. Specific plans and actions to address most of these risks are currently being reviewed by the federally appointed Southern Sea Otter Recovery Implementation Team.
“We believe that this bill is a significant step in the implementation of the Southern Sea Otter Recovery Plan and toward investigating the health-related threats to the southern sea otter. The California otter population can recover if take the appropriate steps that will allow it to do so, “ said Nina Young, Nina Young, Director, Marine Wildlife Conservation. “It's a problem that can be fixed, and it's good to see Representative Farr showing us the way.”
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Defenders will continue to play a leading
role in the efforts to promote sea otter recovery, advocate for critical
conservation policies and push for critical research funding that will assist in
better understanding the recent trends of the southern sea otter population. For
more information on sea otters and their conservation, please see www.saveseaotters.org
Friends of the Sea Otter (FSO) is an
advocacy group dedicated to actively working with state and federal agencies to
maintain the current protections for sea otters as well as to increase and
broaden these preservation efforts. We wish to inspire the public at large about
the otters' unique behavior and habitat. Please visit www.seaotters.org
The Ocean Conservancy strives to be the
world's foremost advocate for the oceans. Through research, education, and
science-based advocacy, The Ocean Conservancy informs, inspires, and empowers
people to speak and act on behalf of the oceans. Please visit
www.oceanconservancy.org
