Defenders of Wildlife and Sea Otter Defense Initiative Applaud California Department of Fish & Game Director’s Action to Protect Sea Otters, Other Marine Mammals and Common Murres from Gill Net Drownings
"This proposal closes two significant gaps in the protection of sea otters, other marine mammals and common murres along the California coast," declared Kim Delfino, California Program Director, Defenders of Wildlife.
Under its draft regulation, the Department of Fish and Game proposes to make its emergency regulation banning gill nets between Point Sal and Point Arguello permanent and extend the ban on gill nets from 30 to 60 fathoms between Yankee Point in Monterey County to Point Sal.
During the 1980s and 1990s, the California Legislature and voters enacted a number of protections for sea otters from set gill nets, banning nets from ocean waters less than 30-fathoms deep anywhere along the California coast from the Oregon border to the Mexican border, except within an overlooked 20-mile stretch of coast between Point Sal and Point Arguello in Northern Santa Barbara County. The area between Point Sal and Point Arguello was left open due to the fact that the sea otter range did not extend that far south in 1990. Beginning in 1993, sea otters began to reoccupy the 20-mile stretch between Point Sal and Point Arguello. In September 2000, the Department of Fish and Game issued emergency regulations closing this gap in protection by banning gill nets out to 60-fathoms between Point Sal and Point Arguello.
"Gill nets are efficient killing machines and they should be nowhere near endangered species such as sea otters," said Cindy Lowry, Director of SODI. Lowry added, "Trying to save sea otters or any other marine species with gill nets around is like trying to trying to save a fish out of water." Common murres, which have a significant colony at Hurricane Point, Monterey County, have been seriously impacted by set gill nets, resulting in thousands of deaths per year.
"Fish and Games’ decision to extend the ban on gill nets out to 60 fathoms between Yankee Point and Point Sal will make a big difference in the effort to protect and recover the common murre and sea otters," said Jim Curland, Marine Program Associate, Defenders of Wildlife.
Defenders and SODI will continue to play
a leading role in the efforts
to protect sea otters and other marine species from drowning in gill nets. Defenders has recently opened a
California Program Office in
Sacramento, that will focus on state-level advocacy and species work. Defenders also has a marine program
office in Monterey,
California.
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Defenders of Wildlife is a leading non-profit conservation organization recognized as one of the nation's most progressive advocates for wildlife and its habitat. With more than 425,000 members and supporters -- 93,000 of whom are in California -- Defenders of Wildlife is an effective leader on endangered species issues.
The Sea Otter Defense Initiative is a newly formed entity under the Earth Island Institute. The organization based in Santa Barbara, CA. is dedicated to removing obstacles to range expansion and full sea otter recovery through public education and media/grassroots campaigns. Earth Island Institute is a nonprofit educational organization dedicated to protecting the diversity of life on Earth.
Contact(s):
Cat Lazaroff, (202) 772-3270
