Currently the largest human threats to sea otter populations are entrapment in fishing traps and nets, shootings, and oil spills. The latter causes their fur to mat preventing it from insulating their bodies in the frigid water, resulting in death from hypothermia.

Indirect threats include pollution from runoff into the marine environment and habitat [1]degradation. The pollution of our coasts has resulted in sea otters being the most diseased wildlife populations in the world.