You may notice colourful tags on some of the otters – since Monterey Bay is a protected marine park, it is also a location where scientific research takes place. But a colony of about fifty were discovered in Big Sur and, from these animals, otters have made a remarkable comeback in California, particularly, in Monterey Bay. “It would change the game in terms of how we look at sea otter … Monterey Bay Sea Otters Dive Club. SeaOtters.com is dedicated to raising awareness about California’s threatened sea otters. Sea Otters living along California’s Central Coast were, as recently as the 1930’s, believed to have been hunted to extinction. A California sea otter floats off … Sea otters are an iconic species, representing the beauty and diversity of marine life found along California’s coastline. Find out what effect we have on them and how you can help. Kelp forests provide food and shelter for large numbers of fish and shellfish. Within each community each species depends on one or more of the others for survival. How to tell them apart. They’re also considered a keystone species because of their critical importance to the health and stability of the nearshore marine ecosystem. January 6, 2021 admin Uncategorized. Lesser known – but wildly important to the health of the ocean – is the world’s entire population of southern (or California) sea otters. These dynamic animals are a keystone species … Sea otters are an iconic species, representing the beauty and diversity of marine life found along California’s coastline. This was called the International Fur Seal Treaty. What Has Been Done to Fix It. In California's Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary the sea otter is a keystone species in the kelp forest ecosystem. California Sea Otters are protected by the Endangered Species Act, the Marine Mammal Protection Act, and California State law. Kelp also protect coastlines from damaging wave action. In nature, all living things are in some way connected. Sea Otters in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary face challenges every day to survive but we do not have to be one of those challenges. ... California sea otters: ... Monterey Bay Aquarium 19,701 views. They prey on small herbivorous sea creatures like sea urchins, which can lead to more kelp and healthier seagrass in an area. Thankfully, due to their high metabolism, sea otters constantly munch on crabs, clams and urchins. If there is one furry animal that Monterey Bay is most known for it is the sea otter. One of the sea otter's favorite delicacies is the sea urchin who in turn loves kelp. But when sea otters decline, urchin numbers explode and grab onto kelp like flies on honey. When present in healthy numbers, sea otters keep sea urchin populations in check. Sea otters (Enhydra lutris) are commonly thought to be the keystone species in kelp forest ecosystems along the west cost of North America, from the Aleutian Islands to California. In collaboration with the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, Wharton Media and Explore.org among others, SeaOtters.com offers an unprecedented look into the extraordinary life and world of this endearing and threatened species. 2010). So when sea otters eat constantly they're a keystone species supporting an entire ecosystem, but when I do it I’m “hogging all the mashed potatoes” and “missing the true spirit of Thanksgiving.” In some areas the sea otters came back. On my bucket list – Kayak in Monterey Bay to observe wild sea otters up close. The well known paradigm follows the logic that urchins can eat and destroy entire kelp beds, leaving a low diversity/productivity urchin barren. This species operates much like a true key stone, which is the stone at the top of an arch that supports the other stones and keeps the whole arch from falling down. In Washington, sea otter spotting is difficult at best. The climate and rocky shores along Monterey County's coastline are ideal for these critters and the bountiful kelp forests are full of all of their favorite snacks. Review Highlights … Monterey Bay Sea Otters Dive Club. Sea Otters as a Keystone Species. (File photo: Vern Fisher/Monterey County Herald, 7/23/04) Dungeness crabs are a holiday tradition every year on tables across Northern California. A recently published study found that sea otters from three sites in Monterey Bay (Santa Cruz, Elkhorn Slough and Monterey) had mean POP levels 5-20 times higher than sea otters from locations in Alaska (Jessup et al. The urchins chew off the anchors that keep the kelp in place, causing them to die and float away, setting off a chain reaction that depletes the food supply for other marine animals causing their numbers to decline. And at the core of individual ecosystems is a creature, or in some cases a plant, known as a keystone species. CA SEA OTTERS: MONTEREY BAY The southern, or California, sea otter (Enhydra lutris nereis) has been listed as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act since 1977. For more information, please contact Dr. Jamie Womble (jamie_womble@nps.gov). SEA OTTERS: MONTEREY BAY The Southern or California Sea Otter (Enhydra lutris nereis) has been listed as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act since 1977. Best nearby. California sea otter numbers take a slight dip from last year, but average count exceeds 3,090 for third consecutive year. Rather than wait until it may be too late for the system's health and survival, scientists make every effort to keep an ecosystem working as nature had intended. Sea otters eat 25% of their body weight each day. This is a shallow site that doesn’t see 50 ft. until a long way out where the boulders give way[…] Read more. The sea otter is a keystone species for its ecosystem. •Sea otters are highly specialized marine mammals capable of living their entire lives without ever having to leave the ocean, have the densest fur of any mammal and are one of the few marine species to use tools. A California sea otter floats off Moss Landing. Prior to 1911, sea otters (Enhydra lutris) were largely extirpated from southeastern Alaska by the Pacific maritime fur trade industry.In 1965, sea otters were translocated from Amchitka Island (Aleutian Islands) to the outer coast of southeastern Alaska and by the early 1990's, small numbers of sea otters were documented at the mouth of Glacier Bay. PO Box 140 WORLD ANIMAL FOUNDATION © All Rights Reserved, WorldAnimal.Foundation  |  WorldAnimalFoundation.com  |  Adopt An Animal. 693 Del Monte Ave, Monterey, CA 93940-2406. In California's Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary the sea otter is a keystone species in the kelp forest ecosystem. You can see them close to shore almost any time of year! As the underwater forests grew, other species reappeared. This furry, playful fellow is more than just adorable, however. The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary is one of the best places in the world to see seals, sea lions and sea otters. The well known paradigm follows the logic that urchins can eat and destroy entire kelp … United States ; California (CA) Monterey County ; Monterey ; Monterey - Things to Do ; Monterey Bay Kayaks; Search. Sea otters protect kelp forests from damage by sea urchins. This new research effort builds upon existing sea otter distribution and abundance data by using aerial photographic surveys with contemporary modeling methods to develop an adaptive monitoring framework that minimizes model uncertainty and maximizes survey efficiency. Urchin numbers explode and grab onto kelp like flies on honey found all the. In healthy numbers, sea lions and sea otters get a lot of attention when talking about the Bay! An animal on one or more of the Monterey Aquarium is that they are what is known as a species! On prey nearshore prey species can result in changes in the local sea otter is keystone... Life found along California ’ s first livestream of southern sea otters are an species... Otter Game Refuge Reviews: 4.5/5 to be entirely extinct at sea otter spotting is difficult at.! It is the sea otters and their prey species can result in changes the... Talking about the Monterey Bay to observe wild sea otters decline, urchin declined. 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