Washington Sea Otter Management and Policy

The Washington state sea otter population is a vulnerable population estimated to be around 800 animals from a 2006 survey. The looming threat of an oil spill, along with other potential impacts from environmental contaminants and other pollution, hangs over this populations’ ability to recover and increase in size. Because of this, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has listed this small population as state endangered and finalized a state recovery plan in December 2004

Fisheries Conflicts

In addition to the various threats to sea otters already mentioned, existing and future potential conflicts with commercial, recreational and tribal fisheries pose potential problems to future recovery efforts.
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Comment Letters

Over the years Defenders of Wildlife, sometimes alone, and sometimes in coordination with other groups, has submitted comment letters on a variety of issues pertaining to Washington sea otters.