These include sea otter ecotourism, their role as an important component of the nearshore ecosystem (see Question 3), as a competitor for commercial and subsistence shellfish fisheries (see Question 6), and as a species traditionally harvested by Alaska Native groups. Sea otter distribution in California (the mainland range) is . An unusual genotype of Toxoplasma gondii is common in California sea otters (Enhydra lutris nereis) and is a cause of mortality. Express the amount as a multiple of the imported population and as a percentage. You print it front to back and fold it like a brochure. Bodkin, J. L., Dean, T. A., Coletti, H. A., and Ballachey, B. E. (2016). Sea otters are very social animals who live in groups called a raft. Fort Collins, CO: National Park Service. Sci. Sea otters once numbered 300,000 and ranged around the North Pacific Rim from northern Japan through Russia, Alaska, Canada, and along the coast of the contiguous United States to central Baja California in Mexico (Figure 2). Seascapes of fear: evaluating sublethal predator effects experienced and generated by marine mammals. /Pages 3 0 R Forney, K. A., Benson, S. R., and Cameron, G. A. (1995). Disease, parasites and predation were identified as possible factors (Miller et al., 2002, 2004; Kreuder et al., 2003; Conrad et al., 2005a,b, Johnson et al., 2009), but it appeared unlikely that these factors fully explained the populations slow growth. (Theresa Soley/KTOO) John Ryan lives in Hollis, on Prince of Wales Island. Information is also needed on the beneficial effects of: (1) sea otter-induced trophic cascades on finfish populations and fisheries, (2) enhanced kelp and seagrass beds that reduce shoreline erosion, and (3) atmospheric carbon sequestration provided by expanding kelp and seagrass beds. rents. The model can contribute to responsible stewardship of sea otters and other nearshore marine resources. Evol. Proc. Biol. To minimize the potential for disturbance and harm to sea otters, people sharing sea otter habitat should: Prog. Soc. A. At the same time, sea otters have helped to restore the ecological functioning of degraded coastal ecosystems by initiating trophic cascades in kelp forests (Estes and Palmisano, 1974; Estes and Duggins, 1995; Watson and Estes, 2011) and estuaries (Hughes et al., 2013), thereby providing valuable ecosystem services by means of these indirect effects. In contrast, white shark predation has had population-level effects within the southern sea otters range (Tinker et al., 2016). Within the western Aleutian Islands, only a few areas with concentrations of sea otters remain (i.e., hotspots), generally within complex, nearshore reef habitats or lagoons that protect the surviving animals from predation. SOP for Monitoring Intertidal Bivalves on Mixed-Sediment Beaches - Version 2.0: Southwest Alaska Inventory and Monitoring Network. /SMask /None>> This biologist uses microwave radiation to save endangered species, Chemists have unlocked the secrets of long-lasting Roman concrete, Native Amazonians make rich soils and ancient people may have too, Sea life may suffer as plastic bits alter metals in water, Heres how to increase clean energy without harming wildlife, The next astronauts to walk the moon will be more diverse than the last, A powerful laser can control the paths that lightning takes, Using Science News Explores in the Classroom. Since 1993, we have conducted aerial surveys of sea . Sea otter conservation also is promoted by organizations such as the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN, Switzerland). The southern sea otter has reclaimed only about 13% of its historical range, and its population size is far below its estimated historical population size in California, about 17,000 (though it could be as low as 10,000 or as high as 30,000), a number that does not include the historical populations in Oregon and Baja California. A second method to monitor abundance is to correct for sighting bias of animals not detected and areas not surveyed. The data collected by Dr. Estes are shown. (1983). Part 2 Top Stud. Sea otter mortality in fish and shellfish traps: estimating potential impacts and exploring possible solutions. Explain. 5 0 obj U.S.A. 94, 1453014535. The Commission also recommended that, as a precautionary measure, gear modifications to reduce entrapment of sea otters be adopted for crab and lobster traps, similar to those that have been in place for finfish traps since 2002. A common theme throughout these seven challenges is the need for information on interannual movements of sea otters, which affects dispersal, habitat use and gene flow. Sci. Mamm. By then, only a few thousand otters remained, including a small colony of about 50 otters along the coast of central California. We pride ourselves on being a safe website for both teachers and students. Weitzman, B. P. (2013). Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) declared the species endangered in most of its range. This research project has direct relevance for the Wildlife program of the Ecosystems Mission Area (ECO), which works with others to provide the scientific understanding and technologies needed to support the sound management and conservation of our Nation's biological resources. A., Tinker, M. T., Doroff, A. M., and Burn, D. M. (2005). doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-801402-8.00005-6, Lee, J., Watson, C., Trebilco, R., and Salomon, A. K. (2016). 1 0 obj If the trend on the graph continues, what do you predict will happen between years 30-40? Anthony, R. G., Estes, J. A., Chan, F., Nielsen, K. J., Lorenzo, E. D., and Lubchenco, J. /Type /Catalog The U.S. J. Wildl. J. However, science and conservation-based management decisions began about 60 years ago, and much of the research on sea otters in the United States has occurred since the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972. After 12 weeks of being fed and groomed, a pup is considered a juvenile, Behavioral Traits and Conservation Status. Technical Report No. After their near extirpation, remnant sea otter populations and those that resulted from reintroduction were below carrying capacity and experienced a period of logistic growth. Moreover, white shark bites now account for >50% of recovered carcasses in California, with shark predation now limiting population expansion to the south as well as the north (Tinker et al., 2016). Interior Department Fish and Wildlife Service, Vol. J. Exp. Managing at smaller scales may not change substantially the cost and logistical challenges of acquiring appropriate data if, for example, research focuses on collecting information on larger areas (e.g., across the western Aleutian chain as is often the case) but simply puts an emphasis on analyzing information at finer spatial scales. Founded in 2003, Science News Explores is a free, award-winning online publication dedicated to providing age-appropriate science news to learners, parents and educators. Trends in population index reported by USGS for southern sea otters in California. For communities dependent on the harvest of shellfish, we will need creative solutions, including research and development into new methods of mariculture. doi: 10.2307/1940749, Laidre, K. L., Estes, J. Sea otters are now protected by law, and their numbers are considered stable. Adult male Alaskan otters weigh 27 to 39 kg, while females weigh 16 to 27 kg. A key indicator of recovery of the population is its ability to expand its range along the California Coast. Fish and Wildlife Service, and contributes to our 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive Reston, VA 20192, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, California Sea Otter Surveys and Research, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC). t HWv@&Lwa*>jja|tlXCFwdhbF;"ST+\+ Harvest of sea otters in the United States is strictly limited to coastal Alaska Natives who can take sea otters for subsistence and for creating and selling authentic native handicrafts. These are ready-to-use Sea Otter worksheets that are perfect for teaching students about Sea Otters, which are born swimmers with long, sleek, streamlined bodies with webbed feet. A Review of California Entangling Net Fisheries, 1981-1986. Sequential megafaunal collapse in the North Pacific Ocean: an ongoing legacy of industrial whaling? KidsKonnect uses a secure SSL connection to encrypt your data and we only work with trusted payment processors Stripe and PayPal. doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0002852, Watson, J., and Estes, J. So using a variety of established study methods radio tracking, veterinary exams, genetic analysis, diet observations this collaborative group of scientists hopes to uncover new knowledge about this population of Californias iconic sea otters a population that hasnt been extensively studied for 15 years. Understanding the factors that regulate sea otter density will be challenging and likely require focusing on a few index sites that are representative of the variety of littoral habitats occupied by sea otters around the North Pacific Rim. [/Pattern /DeviceRGB] At some point, a population may approach an equilibrium density or carrying capacity, although it is not necessarily stable and may fluctuate inter-annually, decadally or over longer time scales depending on other factors (e.g., disease, predation). We used precision estimates and conducted simulation analyses to assess the power of detecting 10-percent or greater decreases in population growth rates and how this power is likely to change with years of observation, survey effort, and the size of decrease. The other is through seasonal blooms in phytoplankton that can occur within an area or be transported to nearshore habitats. doi: 10.1007/s10021-013-9715-7. Several abalone species are listed under endangered species legislation in Canada and in the United States,1 and other species may join the ranks depending on how well fisheries are managed. 65, 75100. Adult male California sea otters average 29 kg in mass, while females average 20 kg. Sea Otter Worksheets This is a fantastic bundle that includes everything you need to know about sea otters across 25 in-depth pages. (2) Understanding factors that regulate sea otter population density: Sea otter density at the landscape scale is a mosaic of local densities that depend on many factors, which vary over different time scales. Resource Competition, Space Use and Forage Ecology of Sea Otters, Enhydra lutris, in Southern Southeast Alaska. 131, 526543. Because demand for sea otter artifacts is small, the number of animals killed yearly is modest but increasing [currently averaging more than 1,000 per year in Alaska (USFWS, Anchorage, AK, United States)]. Figure 1. Foraging effort (i.e., number of hours per day spent feeding) appears to be related to the status of the population relative to food availability across nearly all the sea otters current range (Estes et al., 1986; Bodkin et al., 2007; Monson and Bowen, 2015; Coletti et al., 2016; Cortez et al., 2016). Monogr. 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