Wildlife Groups Press For More Research Funding Following Spring 2003 California Sea Otter Census Results
"The Spring census results are the first good news for the California sea otter in many years but we still are not any closer to understanding the bigger picture, which is why this species has declined over the past seven years and recently suffered a record number of strandings," declared Jim Curland, Marine Program Associate for Defenders of Wildlife. "This small increase can’t be seen as a sign that this species is out of the woods yet. We still need substantial research to pinpoint and address the root causes for this species’ long-term decline."
Since the bi-annual survey began 21 years ago, the California sea otter population had a previous population high of 2,377 animals in Spring 1995. From 1995 to 1999, otter numbers fell, with declines averaging a little over 3% per year. Then the population exhibited a large, nearly 11% increase from 1999 to 2000 and then little under a 4% per year decrease in 20001 and 2002. If the sea otter population had continued to increase since 1995 at an average annual rate of 5%, the total population would have reached more than 3,000 animals this year.
"The otter population is up this year, and that is much better than the alternative, but we’ve got to remember that the species is still extremely vulnerable, living in only a small fraction of its former range on the California coast," said Curland.
The census of the entire California population is jointly conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey’s Biological Resources Division, the California Department of Fish and Game, and sea otter researchers from the Monterey Bay Aquarium and countless volunteers.
Scientists said that ideal survey conditions occurred during the survey period and could have led to higher figures. During Fall surveys, counts can be affected by weather conditions and the presence of obscuring factors, such as large amounts of kelp. Weather conditions can also affect the Spring count estimates.
The California sea otter was listed as a threatened species in 1977. A revised version of the Southern Sea Otter Recovery Plan was released this past April and says that this 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 satisfactorily address most of these risks have not been developed.
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 http://www.saveseaotters.org.
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Defenders of Wildlife is one of the nation's most progressive advocates for wildlife and habitat, and was named as one of America's Top 100 Charities by Worth magazine. With more than 430,000 members and supporters, Defenders is an effective voice for wildlife and habitat. To learn more about Defenders of Wildlife, please visit www.defenders.org.
Contact(s):
Brad DeVries, (202) 772-0237
