Sea Otter Population Increases... Signs of Monterey and Big Sur Recovering

There has been an increase in the sea otter population in Monterey and Big Sur, which has been the highest since 1982 when it started being tracked byt the U.S. Geological Survey otter program. Currently there are 3,272 otters living off the coast of Monterey and Big Sur, which shows promise that the area is recovering thanks to conservation efforts. According to Tim Tinker, a research biologist and leader of the U.S. Geological Survey otter program, "the population is slowly but steadily recovering... and that's good news because sea otters bring ecological benefits."

What kind of ecological benefits? According to seaotter.com, sea otters feast on sea urchins and other herbivorous invertebrates in addition to kelp, which store carbon, which makes the contribution to the sea a true value since they naturally maintain it which if there weren't around could cost from $200 to more than $400 million to maintain.

Sea otters are part of our earth and even though they may seem small, they leave a great impact on our oceans. Seeing numbers that haven't been seen for almost 100 years, when the sea otter population reaches over 3,090 otter for a steady rate over three years, this means that the sea otter can be taken off the endangered species list by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Even if we hit these numbers, we need to take care of the smallest of creatures because they play such a valuable part in not just our lives but of the entire earth.

http://www.mercurynews.com/2016/09/19/california-sea-otter-population-reaches-record-high-number/


http://seaotters.com/2012/09/thanks-to-sea-otters-kelp-forests-absorb-vast-amounts-of-co2/