Wildlife Groups Concerned Over Southern Sea Otter Spring 2001 Census Results
"We simply must get a better handle on the reasons why sea otter populations are shrinking, which is why Defenders and SODI will continue to work with Congress and the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service to earmark federal funds towards sea otter research," declared Kim Delfino, California Program Director, Defenders of Wildlife. "California also has to step up with support for research as well, before this wonderful animal slips back to the brink of extinction."
Reasons for the declines since 1995 aren't entirely understood. Disease, entrapment in fisheries gear, habitat degradation through pollution and other human impacts, and food limitations are some of the causes listed by researchers. If the sea otter population had continued to increase since 1995 at an average annual rate of 5%, by now we should have more than 3,000 animals.
The southern sea otter census is a bi-annual survey of the entire California population. The census is conducted through the efforts of representatives from the U.S. Geological Survey, Biological Resources Division, California Department of Fish and Game, along with sea otter researchers from the Monterey Bay Aquarium and countless volunteers.
"The Spring 2001 census results are further confirmation that the California sea otter is in serious trouble. Every effort must be made to reverse this decline and put the species back on the road to recovery," said Cindy Lowry, Director of SODI. Lowry added, " This will mean allowing the population to grow in size and reclaim the habitat it once occupied in the Santa Barbara Channel."
Most of the decline was seen in the southern end of the range in Santa Barbara County between Pismo Beach and Pt. Sal and southeast of Point Conception.
"We are still too much in the dark about why we've seen sea otters decline in five out of the last six years, and we can't go on much longer without this basic knowledge," said Jim Curland, Marine Program Associate, Defenders of Wildlife.
Defenders and SODI say they 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 reversing this downward trend. Defenders recently opened a California Program Office in Sacramento that will focus on state-level advocacy and species work. The organization 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, 165,000 of which 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
