Defenders' Experts
California Sea Otter Tax Check-Off
The California Sea Otter Fund supports researchers and others who are working to understand the impacts facing the threatened sea otter and to find ways to recover their population in California. Learn more about how contributions to the Sea Otter Fund are divided up.
A small contribution from every Californian will go a long way towards helping to recover one of California's most charismatic and wonderful species, the sea otter!
Sea Otter Fund Will Stay on 2010 Tax Form!
California taxpayers must contribute a minimum target amount each year to keep the CA Sea Otter Fund alive. In 2009, that minimum is $262,500. We just were informed on September 1st by the California Franchise Tax Board that the Fund received just under $223,000 through the middle of August and they estimate it will reach the target by the end of the calendar year.
We look forward to continuing the campaign in 2010 to inform California taxpayers about the CA Sea Otter Fund. We already know that the new target amount for next year will be $258,563. And, in hard economic times, the challenge will continue to be to ensure that the fund remains on CA state income tax forms the following year, in 2011.
Campaign to Alert CA Taxpayers
This successful campaign to raise California taxpayers' awareness about the Sea Otter Fund is achieved through partnering with the California Department of Fish and Game, the California Coastal Conservancy, and EarthEcho International.
Research Project Funded With Sea Otter Fund Contributions
The public commonly ask questions like: “Why are so many sea otters dying? What specifically can be done to help the southern sea otter population recovery? Will reducing pollution help sea otters, and also help other marine species, people and the otters’ ecosystem?”
With help from California tax payers, a consortium of scientists from the University of California, State and Federal government agencies, and the Monterey Bay Aquarium are conducting research to provide answers to these questions. The tax check-off funds raised since 2006 are helping to support a long-term study of the Threatened southern sea otter population. The goal of this research is to determine how sea otters are affected by high levels of chemical and pathogen pollution that occurs along developed areas of the California coast.
Building on an existing research program, these scientists seek to discover precisely how sea otter health and survival is affected by particular diseases and contaminants, and the specific mechanisms of exposure. To accomplish these goals, random samples of tagged sea otters are being studied with an unprecedented level of detail at two sites: Monterey Bay, an area impacted by pollution and other factors associated with dense human populations, and along the remote and nearly pristine Big Sur coast. By comparing patterns of disease, contaminant exposure, physiological condition, behavior, diet, survival and reproductive success between these two contrasting regions, researchers will begin to untangle the complex relationships between near-shore water quality, chemical/pathogen pollution, nutritional deficiencies and sea otter population health.
It's Easy – Here Are the Steps to Take to Help Out
- When filling out your 540 form, look for line 410 labeled CA Sea Otter Fund, under Contributions. Fill out whatever amount you wish to donate.
- If owed money by the state, whatever amount you contribute to the CA Sea Otter Fund will be deducted from your refund.
- If you owe taxes, whatever amount you contribute should be added to your check you make out to the State.
And don’t forget that you can help California save other endangered and threatened species by checking the Rare and Endangered Species Preservation Program as well.
Spread the Word!
Put wallpaper on your computer!
Put this great Sea Otter Fund wallpaper on your computer's desktop.
Download a poster!
Print out this poster and spread the word!
Minimum Contributions Needed Each Year
California taxpayers must contribute at least $250,000 plus the cost of inflation each year to keep the Sea Otter Fund alive. In 2009 the minimum was increased by 5% to $262,500.
Philippe Cousteau supports the Sea Otter Fund!
To help get the word out about the CA Sea Otter Fund for 2009, a Public Service Announcement featuring Philippe is currently running on KCBS in San Francisco and the audio version of the PSA at various radio stations in California. Watch the PSA below!
In 2007, taxpayers gave $255,088! In 2008, Californians contributed $294,966! So the fund not only met the minimum needed to remain on the state income tax form it also significantly surpassed the 2007 total!
In 2009, the minimum target amount of $262,500 will need to be reached in order to keep the CA Sea Otter Fund on the income tax form in 2010.
If you do the math, California taxpayers have contributed more than a half a million dollars in two years to help us recover the sea otter. Way to go!
Background on the Income Tax Check-Off
In 2006 Defenders of Wildlife was successful in helping to pass a bill in California, AB 2485 by Assembly members Laird and Jones, that created a voluntary check-off on income tax forms to create a fund to help sea otters. Learn more about AB 2485.
What's Killing the Sea Otters?
To better understand the threats facing California’s sea otters, what researchers are doing to help recover the sea otter, and how your contribution to the CA Sea Otter Fund is being used, watch this segment about sea otters from the science series, Quest, from KQED.
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