Protect Our Oceans

Reintroducing sea otters would benefit the endangered species and the ecosystem

The US Fish & Wildlife Service recently released a feasibility study on reintroducing sea otters to the Pacific Coast. The study finds that sea otter reintroduction is feasible and that it would have many benefits to the species and to the ecosystem.

The US Fish & Wildlife Service recently released a feasibility study on reintroducing sea otters to the Pacific Coast. While they did not take a position on whether sea otter reintroduction should move forward, the study finds that it is feasible to reintroduce sea otters to the Pacific Coast, and that there would be far reaching benefits to the endangered species and to the ecosystem. You can read the full study here.

Sea otters are one of the most beloved animals on earth. Unfortunately, over a hundred years ago, people hunted sea otters to near-extinction off of the Oregon coast. We, along with our ocean, are still paying the price. Without otters around to keep them in check, purple sea urchin populations have exploded in recent years, mowing down critical kelp forests and creating a nearshore wasteland where few other species can survive. Without kelp, many fish and sea creatures are left without shelter, habitat, or their primary food source, and our ability to fight climate change is hindered.

It is exciting to see the momentum building for sea otter reintroduction off the Oregon and Pacific coast. We hope that the US Fish & Wildlife Service will move forward with sea otter retroduction, so we can help bolster the endangered species and restore the health of the kelp forest ecosystems.

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