Sea Otter Successes

Sea Otter Bill (2006) – Defenders of Wildlife led the way in 2006 in passing this landmark legislation and will continue to be the lead organization to ensure that the various goals of this bill to help sea otter recovery will be implemented. The bill, AB 2485, was co-authored by Assemblyman Dave Jones (Sacramento) and Assemblyman John Laird (Santa Cruz). The law is a critical step to save our sea otters and safeguard California’s coastal ecosystems by increasing protections for sea otters and providing direct funding towards sea otter research, conservation and recovery programs.

Press Release

Fact Sheet

Recovery Efforts

Creation of a Sea Otter Translocation Program and Management Zone

Between 1987 and 1990, 140 sea otters were moved to a translocation zone off San Nicolas Island, approximately 60 miles off the Los Angeles coast, to create an experimental colony. The translocation program was initiated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to maintain and increase sea otter populations, expand their range to safeguard the species from oil spills or other localized catastrophic events, and to minimize the conflicts caused by sea otters in areas with commercial and recreational shellfish fisheries. Learn more