Latest federal California sea otter count shows populations are static

The U.S. Geological Survey on Monday released the latest sea otter survey and it turns out, populations of the marine mammal are slightly down.

For the Spring 2014 sea otter count, teams of scientists counted 2,947 otters and pups. That’s down from 2,956 in 2013.

This accounts for the otters surveyed from Point San Pedro, San Mateo County in the north to Rincon Point at the Santa Barbara/Ventura County line, in addition to those counted at San Nicolas Island.

Survey results can be viewed here.

The difference isn’t huge, but researchers say they are concerned that the population is remaining static, rather than growing.

“The recovery of the California sea otter has stalled,” said Steve Shimek, executive director of The Otter Project, a Monterey-based nonprofit dedicated to the recovery of the California sea otter.

Sea otter recovery is keyed to the three year running average, or population index. This year, the three-year average was 2,944 otters, essentially unchanged from 2,939 in 2013.

For the otters to be removed from the “threatened species” list, the population index would have to exceed 3,090 for three consecutive years. That’s according to the Southern Sea Otter Recovery Plan established by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The California sea otter population has been growing in fits and starts, with declines in the late 1990s and again a decline in 2009 and 2010. Otters weren’t counted in 2011, but in the two years after that, more otters were tallied.

Shimek says efforts to revive the species need to be increased.

“Otters are dying from shark attacks, natural causes, and other things we can do nothing about, but they are also dying from diseases and chemicals washing from land,” he said.

For more about the U.S.G.S. study, click here.

Sea otters can be found in nearshore areas along the California coastline, including areas of high human activity, such as harbors.

Here are some tips for watching sea otters, suggested by the Monterey Bay Aquarium and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service:

Take caution in areas where sea otters are known to be present.
Keep a safe distance from sea otters and other wildlife. If the otter notices you, you are likely too close and should back away.
Keep pets on a leash on and around docks and harbors.
Never feed sea otters or other wildlife. Wild animals that are fed can become aggressive.