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For Immediate Release
New Hope for Southern Sea Otters
Defenders Agrees with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services Recommendation to End Controversial No Otter Zone program
MONTEREY, Calif. -- Today Defenders of Wildlife called for the end to the “no otter zone” and translocation program and hailed the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) recommendation to end the controversial program that prohibits southern sea otters from migrating beyond Point Conception down to the Santa Barbara and Ventura coastline.
“We’re pleased the Service has recognized that it is time to eliminate the artificial boundary and management zone designed to prevent sea otters from returning to their historic habitat in Southern California,” declared Jim Curland, Marine Program Associate, Defenders of Wildlife.
A recent Defenders of Wildlife report completed by Dr. John Loomis, a natural resources economist from Colorado State University, concluded that an expanded sea otter population could generate millions in tourism dollars forCalifornia’s economy. For a copy of the report, click here. In addition, Defenders of Wildlife and a team of expert scientists agree that the southern sea otter (Enhydra lutris nereis) needs to expand its range southward in order to achieve recovery of this species.
“Bringing sea otters back to Southern California will not only help put sea otters firmly on the road to recovery, it will also benefit our coastal communities,” said Curland. “The return of the sea otter will mean more jobs and will keep the kelp forests off the coasts of Santa Barbara and Ventura healthy for both fish and people.”
It has been five years since the Service held scoping meetings in Santa Barbara and Monterey to get input on the alternatives that would be contained in the draft SEIS, as well as address any concerns regarding future sea otter management goals. As part of the SEIS, the Service will hold new public comment meetings in Santa Barbara and Monterey in the beginning of November.
The Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) on the sea otter translocation program and “no otter zone” will be released for public review and comment on Friday.
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Defenders of Wildlife is a leading nonprofit conservation organization recognized as one of the nation's most progressive advocates for wildlife and its habitat. With more than 490,000 members and supporters, Defenders of Wildlife is an effective leader on endangered species issues.
