In recent decades, Friends of the Sea Otter has been adamant about protecting the population of sea otters at San Nicholas Island and providing them with the freedom to move and expand in the waters of Southern California. Currently a Fishery Management Zone surrounds San Nicholas Island, where a robust population of sea otters is only just now becoming established after the Fish and Wild Service transported them there from their mother range on the central Californian coast more than 20 years ago. The Management Zone is effectively a no-otter zone where otters from San Nicholas Island and the mother range are captured and removed if they happen to accidentally swim through it. The no-otter zone covers most of the Southern Californian coast, from Point Conception to the Mexican border, with the exception of the kelp forests around San Nicholas Island. The problem this no-otter zone creates for the expansion of sea otters has been the focus of a dialogue between the Friends of the Sea Otter and its partners, the US Fish and Wild Service, and the Navy.

On Tuesday, July 13th, representatives from Friends of the Sea Otter, on its members’ behalf, and its partners were welcomed to a tour of the naval facilities of San Clemente and San Nicholas Islands off the coast of Los Angeles, California. The goal of the tour was to 1.) survey the impact of naval operations on the coastal habitats of the islands, and 2.) continue the conversation about the Translocation Plan and the no-otter zone. San Clemente Island, though not supporting a sea otter population presently, has potential sea otter habitat should the otters at San Nicholas Island be allowed into the no-otter zone.

Though the islands play an important strategic role in the Navy’s goal of national security, both are rich in wildlife and natural resources, which the Navy takes seriously. Extensive natural resource programs on both islands focus on protecting the environment from Navy operations while working to restore habitats and species that were damaged in the past. The natural resource conservation program on San Nicholas Island in particular is sensitive to marine mammals of all kinds and has changed whole policies to accommodate different species. In one case, a large dock and crane were even assembled to unload supplies from ships and thus bypass a beach that is important to elephant seals and sea lions. Similarly, a program to monitor the sea otters that inhabit the island’s extensive kelp forests keeps track of any reactions the otters may have to Navy operations and exercises. Because of these conservation programs, Navy operations seem to pose no threat to the current sea otter population or to the prospective population growth around the island.

The question remains, though, on how to proceed with ending the no-otter zone surrounding San Nicholas Island and allow the sea otters there and in the mother range the opportunity to expand. Friends of the Sea Otter will continue to work for its members to end this no-otter zone and finally allow sea otters the right to swim where they please and expand their dangerously narrow range. Only when sea otters are allowed this freedom will the species truly have the opportunity it deserves to expand and thrive.

Image taken from US Government Printing Office www.gpo.gov

FSO Making Progress on Need to Terminate Zonal Management of the Southern Sea Otter
For many years Friends of the Sea Otter (FSO) has been working with other organizations in the effort to protect the southern sea otter as an endangered species.  Of significant importance is the dispute over zonal management.  If a favorable outcome is achieved, it will ensure that sea otters have the best chance of recovery through elimination of the no-otter zone, established in 1987, and retaining the translocated population at San Nicolas Island.  Since February 1993, the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has suspended enforcement of the no-otter zone, and no actions have been taken for zonal management purposes that place sea otters at risk.  With the recent administration shift, and the appointment of Sam Hamilton as the new FWS director and Ren Lohoefener as Regional Director for the Pacific Region, announced June 9, 2009, FSO is eager to move forward and work with the service to end zonal management.

FSO supports the termination of zonal management and called together key players for a meeting in Monterey this past September to discuss and develop a strategic plan to encourage FWS in the discontinuation of the “no-otter zone”.  Our objective is to work with and support FWS in coming to a final decision that will accommodate the many affected parties.  Should FWS cease to take positive steps forward in this process, or should action be taken that is not in the best interest of the southern sea otter, Friends of the Sea Otter will take all necessary measures to protect this beloved species.

“Senator Boxer has introduced a companion to the sea otter bill!”

     Mrs. BOXER.  Mr. President, I rise to speak on the introduction of the Southern Sea Otter Recovery and Research Act.

     The southern sea otter is a keystone species that plays a critical role in Central California’s kelp forest ecosystem.  By maintaining a healthy and productive ecosystem capable of supporting many other marine species, they also contribute to California’s $22 billion ocean tourism, recreation, and fishing industries. 

     Already listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act, southern sea otters recently experienced their largest population decline in over a decade.   They face a variety of threats, including food limitation, disease, and habitat degradation – but the exact causes of their decline are unknown. 

     Sea otters are a sentinel species that serve as an indicator of ecosystem health, so this population decline is extremely alarming.  Understanding and addressing the causes of this decline would help us protect the health of our kelp ecosystems as a whole.

     My legislation would require the Department of the Interior to monitor the population of southern sea otters and assess the major factors limiting their recovery.  It would also establish a competitive grant program for research and recovery projects. 

     The language has been drafted in consultation with numerous scientists, agency officials, conservation groups, and fishermen.  Companion legislation was reported by the House Natural Resources Committee by voice vote in May, and passed the full House of Representatives in July.  I look forward to working with my colleagues to achieve a successful outcome in the Senate.

     With this legislation, we can finally put the southern sea otter on a path to recovery – and restore Central California’s magnificent kelp forests to a healthy, thriving condition.

House Acts to Protect Marine Turtles, Sea Otters By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Filed at 8:24 p.m. ET

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The southern sea otter and the marine turtle would get federal assistance in their struggles to survive under bills the House passed Tuesday.

The House voted 316-107 to approve $5 million a year over the next five years for research and recovery programs run by the Fish and Wildlife Service and U.S. Geological Survey for the southern sea otters along the coast of California.

In 1977, the southern sea otter was listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Currently there are about 2,800 of the marine mammals along the California coast.

Under the bill, experts would study and seek to mitigate causes of high sea otter mortality, which are thought to include malnutrition, shark attacks, entanglement in fishing gear, boat strikes, shooting and proliferation of harmful algae.

''If the sea otters are dying, then something else is happening that is very keen to the coastal near-shore environment that affects the well-being of mankind,'' said Rep. Sam Farr, D-Calif., sponsor of the legislation.

The marine turtle bill extends for five years a program that also provides $5 million a year to save the reptiles, which have also been endangered by the destruction of nesting habitats, poaching, entanglement in marine debris, ship strikes and pollution.

The bill, sponsored by Rep. Henry Brown, R-S.C., passed 354-72. Both bills now go to the Senate.