Conservation Abstracts
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Pending Publishing Permission
An ecological assessment of a potential sea otter reintroduction to Oregon Dominique Kone, Marine Resource Management Program College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences Full Abstract
From the mid-1960’s to early 1970’s, managers translocated sea otters from southwest and south -central Alaska to regions from which sea otters had been extirpated during the North Pacific fur trade. Translocations to Southeast Alaska, British Columbia and Washington were successful and have led to growing populations of sea otters in these regions, with associated restoration of ecosystem function. The translocation to Oregon was not successful, as sea otters disappeared shortly following release, but there is renewed interest in another translocation attempt. Given the previous failure and the inherently uncertain nature of species reintroductions, managers seek to gain a better understanding of the potential for coastal habitats to support sea otter populations, factors likely to affect translocation success, and likely ecological impacts, before deciding whether to proceed with such an effort. To inform this process, we are investigating these questions using two methods. First, to investigate the population potential for sea otters in Oregon habitats, and the likelihood of a successful reintroduction, we will estimate sea otter carrying capacity along the Oregon coast. Specifically, we will adapt a habitat-specific carrying capacity model recently developed for southern sea otters, and use this model to determine how many sea otters this area could theoretically support, based on the identification of suitable habitat. Potential sea otter habitats will be further analyzed to assess proximity and spatial overlap with a range of current human-use activities (i.e. fisheries, marine reserves, ports). Second, we will systematically review available scientific literature to assess and qualitatively predict the potential effects of sea otters on Oregon’s nearshore ecosystems. We will provide the results of these analyses to resource managers to inform and support the decision-making process, and (if a translocation program is initiated) to help set targets and expectations for sea otter recovery and ecosystem effects in Oregon coastal waters. |
The Elakha Alliance: seeking to restore sea otters to Oregon Robert Bailey, Elakha Alliance Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
The Elakha Alliance, originally convened as an informal organization in the late 1990s, has been reformed as a non-profit organization with a mission to restore sea otters to the Oregon coast. The Alliance has begun a variety of activities in pursuit of its mission, including discussions with state and federal agencies and other partner organizations and a day-long sea otter status of knowledge symposium in October 2018 for stakeholders, agencies, and partners. The Alliance is currently developing a strategic plan to guide its work with external partners, is investigating the scope and direction of a feasibility study to guide decision-making about restoring sea otters to the Oregon coast, and is discussing its mission with potential funders. The Alliance is interested in structuring its mission to reflect and benefit the conservation of sea otter populations along the West Coast and welcomes discussions among the larger sea otter community as to how best to do so. The Alliance may be reached at [email protected]. |
Developing a blueprint for sea otter restoration in the state of Oregon: making a case for collaborative and place-based adaptive strategies
Valerie Stephan-Leboeuf, The Animals' Trust Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
Differing values among stakeholders can impede the effectiveness of marine mammal restoration efforts. Community dimensions, as applied to the restoration of sea otter, and associated issues with human-marine mammal conflict, must therefore evolve beyond the traditional focus on habitat availability, prey abundance, population viability, and predator removal methodologies in response to perceptions of conflict and/or reported conflict incidents. However, during the process of developing management plans for the restoration of marine wildlife and sustainable human-marine mammal conflict resolution, broad stakeholder engagement is frequently undefined and may lack novel, place-based coalitions. In addition, conflict mitigation plans often exclude the ability to adjust to evolving socio-economic perspectives, needs, and potential community and agency transformation. To address these shortcomings, the addition of socio-economic elements, through collaborative and adaptive strategies, has the potential to lead to a blueprint that not only facilitates continuing dialogue between biologists, community stakeholders, and wildlife managers, but can also serve as essential components of sustainable marine mammal restoration efforts. At this time, there is not a state or federal sea otter management plan in place that specifically addresses restoration efforts in Oregon, or a comprehensive conflict resolution plan that mitigates human-marine mammal conflict along the coasts of Oregon and Washington. In Oregon, the importance of such plans is evident by the lack of a resident population of sea otters, the literature that supports the standing of sea otter as a keystone species relative to their critical importance to the health and stability of the nearshore marine ecosystem, and by the related example of the continued escalation in conflict between sea lions/seals, commercial fisheries, and restoration efforts for endangered salmonids in the states of Oregon and Washington. Topics of consideration include: 1. Utilizing a holistic and integrated approach, can key principles of ecosystem-based management play a significant role in the restoration of sea otter in the state of Oregon? 2. Are collaborative and place-based adaptive strategies an effective means to managing human- marine mammal conflict in the states of Oregon and Washington? 3. What factors limit and/or support the implementation of collaborative and place-based adaptive strategies in marine mammal management in the states of Oregon and Washington? |
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Pending Publishing Permission
Assessing anthropogenic risk to sea otters for reintroduction into San Francisco Bay Jane A. Rudebusch, Estuary and Ocean Science Center Full Abstract
Despite decades of federal and state protection, the southern sea otter (Enhydra lutris nereis) continues to experience sluggish population growth and has reclaimed only a fraction of its historic range. Managers of this threatened species have identified the growing need to facilitate range expansion via reintroductions in order to address the challenges facing southern sea otter recovery. San Francisco Bay has been identified as a candidate reintroduction site, but despite having historic presence in the Bay, sea otters have been absent from this ecosystem for over a century and it is unknown whether they could live in this highly urbanized estuary today. Sea otters attempting to resettle San Francisco Bay will contend with threats from a diverse array of human uses in the Bay, at a magnitude far greater than is currently experience anywhere else within their current geographic range. To address this knowledge gap, we used a spatially-explicit risk assessment framework to assess the quality and availability of sea otter habitat given exposure to multiple anthropogenic stressors. By incorporating risk into predictive habitat suitability modeling we are able to provide critical information to managers about the potential threats sea otters will face that could undermine their attempts to reoccupy their historic home range. |
Pending Publishing Permission
Roundtable Discussion Shawn Larson, Jim Bodkin, Tim Tinker, Jim Estes and Lillian Carswell Full Abstract
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Pending Publishing Permission
The relationship between researchers and youth in sea otter conservation Dakota Peebler and Grace Jones, Heirs to Our Oceans Full Abstract
Join Heirs to Our Oceans youth leaders who focus on sea otter conservation – Dakota Peebler and Grace Jones – at an exciting, engaging and informative presentation about how the next generation working with scientists, researchers and policy makers can make great change to-gether for our oceans and waterways. Dakota and Grace will share what they and Heirs To Our Oceans have done to date in sea otter conservation and ocean protection through meaningful collaboration with professionals, and they will demonstrate what they as diverse young leaders can bring to the table in discussion of environmental protection including sea otter conservation. |
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The global sea otter (Enhydra lutris) conservation strategy, IUCN-SSC Otter Specialist Group
Angela Doroff, IUCN-SSC Otter Specialist Group Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
Since 1974, the IUCN-SSC Otter Specialist Group has implemented otter conservation programs and has seen many successes but also has witnessed the sharp acceleration of environmental threats that affect otters everywhere: pollution, deforestation, overpopulation, illegal trade, limited protection, and the escalating effects of climate change. In the 2018 Global Otter Conservation Strategy, we are moving forward with a holistic conservation approach. The goal is to build collaboration among researchers, educators, captive population specialists, legal and policy experts, habitat conservation specialists, and to use social science tools for connecting to all sectors of society in order to support maintaining healthy otter populations. With the goal in mind, we identified threats and mitigation measures, highlighted captive programs, and population success stories for sea otters (Enhydra lutris). We identified projects and funding opportunities by country. Common themes among funding for regions were: species coordination (social science), surveys to document population status and trends, competitive graduate fellowships for wild population and captive research, and travel to attend, present, and conduct outreach and education. |
Future directions in sea otter research and management
Randall W. Davis, Department of Marine Biology, Texas A&M University Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
The conservation and management of sea otters has benefited from a dedicated research effort over the past 60 years enabling this species to recover from a few thousand in the early 20th century to about 150,000 today. Continued research to allow full, pre-exploitation recovery and restoration of nearshore ecosystems should focus on at least seven key challenges: 1) Defining sea otter populations at smaller spatial scales that reflect this species’ life history and dispersal patterns; 2) Understanding factors that regulate sea otter population density with a focus on index sites that are representative of the variety of littoral habitats occupied by sea otters around the North Pacific Rim; 3) Quantifying the effects of sea otters on the littoral community with a focus on how food availability limits population and ecosystem recovery and on predicting the effect of sea otter reoccupation on commercially valuable invertebrates; 4) Making sea otter monitoring programs comparable across geo-political boundaries through international collaboration to optimize survey efforts both spatially and temporally and to determine the cause of changes in sea otter demographics; 5) Evaluating the conservation benefits of sea otter reintroductions into historical habitat; 6) Assessing the socioeconomic costs and benefits of sea otter range expansion to anticipate and mitigate conflicts; 7) Recognizing in conservation and management plans that sea otters can be significantly affected by higher level predators in some circumstances. Many of these challenges will require new tools including the next generation geolocation tag technology that will allow assessments of long-range movements, dispersal and gene flow in various populations. |
Sea Otter Savvy: building community stewardship Gena Bentall, Sea Otter Savvy Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
Sea Otter Savvy is a collaborative outreach and research program focused on addressing the problem of human-caused disturbance to sea otters in three central California counties. Over the last three years this program has made progress fostering collaborative stewardship in coastal communities and has undertaken innovative projects to bring awareness about sea otters and wildlife disturbance to the public. This presentation will feature an overview of accomplishments, challenges, and future plans of the Sea Otter savvy program. |
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Pending Publishing Permission
Understanding the sharks in shark-otter interactions Jerry Moxley, Monterey Bay Aquarium Full Abstract
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Husbandry challenges during adaptation period of two young sea otters (Enhydra lutris kenyoni) at Oceanário de Lisboa
Hugo Batista, Oceanario de Lisboa Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
In March 2018, Oceanário de Lisboa received from Alaska SeaLife Center two young male sea otters, Odiak, one year old and Kasilof, 8 months old. The animals stayed in the quarantine facilities for one month. During this period a 24/7 surveillance was performed which allowed to acquire data on their behaviors and interactions, such as quality and time of grooming, time spent in and out of water, resting or playing. The body temperature was monitored using an internal temperature emitter and an external receptor, allowing to understand if the animals were making the correct temperature regulation according to their daily cycles. The youngest otter exhibited compulsive and obsessive behavior some days after arrival and later in a second occasion. This behavior resulted in a very poor grooming, poor internal temperature control, appetite loss and rapid weight loss. In the first episode the animal was anesthetized for a more detailed examination of his condition and intubated for food intake. These two episodes may have originated due to different reasons. The first one was a lesion in the forepaw during the transport that got better one week after. The second one, was a relapse, that coincided with a significant increase of Kcal ingested due to a calculation error. This second episode stopped after 4 days when the amount of Kcal was adjusted to normal. Rigid temperature control with rapid action, daily weight monitoring and control of the Kcal provided were considered key factors for the correct adaptation to the space and conditions and for the general welfare of the two animals. After one month in quarantine facilities, the young sea otters were stable, healthy and eating well. The introduction to the exhibition space went very well. The interaction with the resident older females was quite good, and until now no other compulsive and obsessive behavior was observed. |
Pending Publishing Permission
Roundtable discussion—the placement of rehabilitated pups Traci Belting, AZA Sea Otter SSP, Monterey Bay Aquarium and Alaska SeaLife Center Conservation Full Abstract
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