Sea Otters Recovery and Advocacy

Marine Conservation Institute has teamed up with Sea Otter Savvy to raise sea otter awareness

Sea otters are a keystone species, which means that their presence in the environment has a significant impact on ecosystem structure and other species. As a predator of sea urchins, crabs and many other invertebrates, sea otters help maintain healthy kelp forests and sea grass beds. Fur hunters removed sea otters from vast areas of their historic range in the 1700 and 1800’s nearly driving sea otters to extinction.

Today, conservation efforts along the US West Coast and British Columbia are bringing otters back from the brink of extinction with them healthier coastal ecosystems. Sea otter recovery in increasingly recognized as an important step in maintaining these 'Blue Carbon' habitats and an important part of building resilience to climate change for nearshore ecosystems. Marine Conservation Institute is supporting these efforts; here are a few resources to learn more about how you can support the recovery of sea otters:

1. View Marine Conservation Institute's Webinars:
   • X̱aayda Gwaay.yaay Ḵuugaay Gwii Sdiihltl'lx̱a: Working Together to Re-learn How to Live with Ḵu | Ḵuu Sea Otters as Neighbours with Lynn Lee from Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Jaasaljuus Yakgujanaa of the Haida Gwaii Nation
   • Reintroduction of predators: The key to a more resistant kelp forest? with Dr. Jorge Arroyo-Esquivel
2. Elakha Alliance
3. Sea Otter Savvy
4. Bay Nature Article, Hannah Hindley
5. Marine Mammal Commission
6. Defenders of Wildlife
7. Monterey Bay Aquarium
8. Marine Conservation Institute's Blog