California Sea Otter Populations Down For Third Straight Year

[hatrack]

MOSS LANDING - The fragile California Sea Otter population is in decline for the third straight year, according to a comprehensive year-end report issued Monday by The Otter Project, a Monterey-based organization whose mission is to aid the rapid recovery of the animal.

The report is based on surveys conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey in coordination with other organizations, including the Monterey Bay Aquarium. It took into consideration otters found onshore, the age of the dead otters, their genders and where in the ocean they were discovered.

The third year in a population study is significant, according to the report, because it is the third-year average number that helps decide an animal's status under the Endangered Species Act. The otter, which saw a 12 percent increase from 2006 to 2007, is currently listed as threatened.

Allison Ford, executive director of The Otter Project, said the data is cause for concern. "Otters are the endangered species success story that's not quite successful," she said. "Its population is hovering in the decline and it's still considered a threatened species." Ford said that while she was hopeful the results would be more positive, she wasn't surprised by the data. She said the decline is due to a number of conditions, including chemicals being put in the ocean.

EDIT

http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/localnews/ci_14788281

[CountAllVotes]

1. toss in some offshore drilling

and there won't be any left soon! :mad:

:kick: & recommend.

[HereSince1628]

2. Isn't there a kelp-sea urchin-otter cycle thing?

I seem to remember that. That sort of thing always stresses the higher order levels. Degrade more habitat and its injury upon insult.

[hatrack]

4. It also ties in with orcas, though that's been more of an issue in the Aleutians

With the collapse (compared to pre-European days) of seal and (esp.) whale numbers up north, the orcas have been snapping up otters, putting the blocks on what had been a substantial comeback.

[WHEN CRABS ROAR]

5. As the oceans turn more acidic any thing with a calcium based

shell, such as urchins, abalone, clams, lobster and corals will face extinction.

[WHEN CRABS ROAR]

3. It's not just the otters, all resources in the ocean are depleting.