Category Archives: California
Sea Otter Pup Euthanized — Let us know what you think
The news that a sea otter pup was euthanized by sea otter rescuers from Monterey Bay Aquarium touched many people. This is the sad reality of the decisions wildlife care professionals must wrestle with all the time. It is a … Continue reading
The Otter Project Announces Opposition to Lawsuit Threatening Sea Otter Recovery.
THE OTTER PROJECT, ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE CENTER AND LOS ANGELES WATERKEEPER ANNOUNCE MOVE TO DEFEND U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE DECISION TO END “NO OTTER ZONE” FROM LEGAL CHALLENGE FILED BY COMMERCIAL FISHING GROUPS Three groups, including the Environmental Defense Center … Continue reading
The ‘No-Otter Zone’ is no more
FWS terminates southern sea otter translocation program, fulfills 2009 legal settlement with The Otter Project and Environmental Defense Center. Today, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) published a final rule officially ending the ‘no-otter zone’ encompassing nearly all of … Continue reading
Sea Otters Sue State Water Resources Control Board
Lawsuit alleges delay of Agricultural Regulations is Illegal (Monterey) 11/30/12, The Otter Project together with Santa Barbara Channelkeeper, San Luis Obispo Coastkeeper, and California Sportfishing Protection Alliance, sued the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) for delaying regulations meant to … Continue reading
Otters Win! Seismic testing near Diablo Canyon defeated.
Late yesterday (11/14) the California Coastal Commission denied PG&E’s application to conduct high-energy seismic testing within Estero Bay and in the heart of the sea otter’s range. PG&E said the testing was needed to assess the potential magnitude of an … Continue reading
What role do sea otters play in combatting Climate Change?
Yes, you read that right. Climate Change. Last week, I read about a new study by two UC Santa Cruz researchers that suggests that sea otters undoubtedly influence the carbon cycle, CO2 storage, by limiting sea urchin populations which allows … Continue reading
Good news! Annual Sea Otter Count for 2012 is up
Monterey, CA –The U.S. Geological Survey’s Western Ecological Research Center (USGS-WERC) released their annual sea otter survey count for 2012 this week and the news is good. The results were presented with cautious optimism since “the southern sea otter population … Continue reading
Central Coast Monitoring Program the Most Successful in the State
MONTEREY, CA – On July 4th, 2012, a milestone of 2000 surveys monitoring California’s Marine Protected Areas (MPA) was reached by volunteers with The Otter Project’s Central Coast MPA Watch program. Starting in March 2011, MPA Watch was launched in … Continue reading
CALIFORNIA COASTAL COMMISSION GIVES GREEN LIGHT TO END THE ‘NO-OTTER’ ZONE
June 15, 2012 California Coastal Commission finds that proposed termination of southern sea otter translocation program is consistent with California Coastal Act Huntington Beach, CA—By unanimous vote, the California Coastal Commission yesterday confirmed … Continue reading
World Oceans Day – Celebrating our Underwater State Parks
It’s easy to forget that meaningful change often happens in increments. Sometimes years go by until it becomes apparent that a fundamental change has occurred. On the eve of World Oceans Day, The Otter Project would like to recognize one … Continue reading