Sea Otters Face Multiple Threats Despite Urchin Harvesters’ Efforts, Study

Sea otters are adorable and fuzzy marine mammals that live along the California coast. They are also a threatened species that faces many challenges, such as diseases, parasites, and shark attacks.

However, some people want to reduce the protections for sea otters under the Endangered Species Act, claiming that they are not in danger of extinction and that they are harming the sea urchin industry.

Sea otters are vital for the ecosystem

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Sea otters are not only cute, but they are also very important for the health of the marine ecosystem.

They are known as keystone species, meaning that they have a disproportionate impact on their environment.

Sea otters feed on sea urchins, which are spiny animals that graze on kelp, which is a type of seaweed that forms underwater forests that provide shelter and food for many other creatures.

Without sea otters, sea urchins can multiply and devour the kelp, leaving behind barren areas called urchin barrens. These areas have lower biodiversity and productivity than kelp forests.

The adorable sea creatures also help to combat climate change by promoting the growth of kelp, which absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and releases oxygen.

Kelp can store up to 20 times more carbon than terrestrial forests, making it a valuable carbon sink. By protecting sea otters, we are also protecting the kelp forests and their benefits for the planet.

Also Read: 5 Disturbing Facts About Sea Otters: They're Not as Cuddly as They Seem

Sea otters are still at risk

Despite their ecological importance, sea otters are still facing many threats that prevent them from recovering to their historical numbers.

Sea otters used to inhabit the coast from Oregon to Baja California in Mexico, but they were nearly wiped out by the maritime fur trade in the 18th and 19th centuries.

The current population of less than 3,000 individuals is likely descended from about 50 survivors near Monterey County.

Sea otters were listed as threatened under the federal Endangered Species Act in 1977, but their recovery has been slow and uneven.

One of the main challenges is disease, which can be transmitted by polluted runoff, sewage, or agricultural chemicals.

Sea otters are susceptible to infections, such as toxoplasmosis, leptospirosis, and distemper, which can cause neurological problems, organ failure, or death.

Another major threat is shark predation, which has increased in recent years along the Central Coast. Sharks may mistake sea otters for seals or sea lions, their preferred prey.

Shark bites can cause fatal injuries or infections for sea otters. Shark attacks may also deter sea otters from expanding their range to new habitats.

Other threats include oil spills, boat strikes, fishing gear entanglement, illegal hunting, and habitat loss or degradation.

These factors limit the growth and distribution of the sea otter population, which remains below the threshold for recovery set by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Sea otters are amazing animals that play a crucial role in maintaining the balance of the marine ecosystem.

They are also threatened by various factors that hinder their recovery and expansion. Sea urchin harvesters have tried to reduce the protections for sea otters, arguing that they are not endangered and that they are harming their industry.

However, their petition was rejected by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which affirmed that sea otters are still in need of conservation and that they have positive impacts on the environment and the economy.

Related article: Indigenous Alaskan Tribes May Have Hunted Sea Otters Thousands of Years Ago, but Not for Food