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And In Otter News ... Sea Otters Retain Endangered Species Status
Millie, a sea otter rescued from the Central California coast, is the latest addition to the Aquarium of the Pacific's sea otter exhibit.
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Courtesy of the Aquarium of the Pacific
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Topline:
Here’s a win for the southern sea otters — the coastal mammals will retain their status as a threatened species under the Endangered Species act.
Why it matters: Sea otters are a "keystone" species, which means they have a significant impact on the environment. They play a central role in the ecological health of nearshore ecosystems. The coastal mammals eat lots of shellfish, like clams and sea urchin. By doing so, they keep forests healthy and maintain carbon sequestration. That's the process of capturing and storing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, which in turn reduces CO2 in the atmosphere.
Why now: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced the decision today after finishing a year-long review. It comes after a 2021 petition from Pacific Legal Foundation on behalf of the California Sea Urchin Commission to delist the animals.
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The group said sea otters doubled in population from 1977 when they were originally deemed a threatened species. But after an intensive review, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says the sea otters will keep their federal protections.
" They have come back from the brink of extinction in our recent history, but really they do continue to face significant threats. Those being from climate change, shark bite mortality as well as limited range," said Ashley McConnell, spokesperson for the agency.
The backstory: Sea otters were once hunted to the brink of extinction in the 1700 and 1800s for fur trade. They lived from Oregon to Baja California, Mexico. Now, southern sea otters make up 13% of their historical range and thrive mostly off the central California coast.
Tips how to protect sea otters: Like us humans — they need their beauty sleep. If you see them resting, don't wake them up. Otters need to conserve energy in order to maintain their body mass. It's also best to not feed them and keep a safe distance. Pets should also be kept on a leash near the shore and away from otters.
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