Sea Otter Conservation

Sea otters are good indicators of ocean health. In addition, they are a keystone species, offering a stabilizing effect on ecosystem, controlling sea urchin populations that would otherwise inflict damage to kelp forest ecosystems. The kelp forest ecosystem is crucial for marine organisms and contains coastal erosion. With the concerns about the imperiled status of sea otter populations in California, Aleutian Archipelago and coastal areas of Russia and Japan, the last several years have shown growth of interest culturally and politically in the status and preservation of sea otter populations.

Sea Otter Conservation brings together the vast knowledge of well-respected leaders in the field, offering insight into the more than 100 years of conservation and research that have resulted in recovery from near extinction. This publication assesses the issues influencing prospects for continued conservation and recovery of the sea otter populations and provides insight into how to handle future global changes.

• Covers scientific, cultural, economic and political components of sea otter conservation
• Provides guidance on how to manage threats to the sea otter populations in the face of future global changes
• Highlights the effects that interactions of coastal animals have with the marine ecosystem

Scientists studying sea otters, researchers across marine biology, marine ecology and marine conservation

Chapter 1. The Conservation of Sea Otters: A Prelude

• Introduction
• Natural History
• Conservation Successes and Challenges
• Conclusion
• References

Chapter 2. Natural History, Ecology, and the Conservation and Management of Sea Otters

• History
• Form and Function
• Associated Species
• Food Web
• Ecosystems
• Human Emotions
• Discussion
• References

Chapter 3. Historic and Contemporary Status of Sea Otters in the North Pacific

• Introduction
• Conclusion
• Acknowledgments
• References

Chapter 4. Challenges to Sea Otter Recovery and Conservation

• Introduction
• Threats: Past, Present and Future
• Conclusion
• References

Chapter 5. Sea Otter Conservation Genetics

• Introduction
• The Sea Otter Story and Conservation Genetics
• Conservation Genetic Approaches
• Methods
• Sea Otter Genetic Research Findings
• Future Work
• Conclusion
• References

Chapter 6. Evaluating the Status of Individuals and Populations: Advantages of Multiple Approaches and Time Scales

• Introduction
• The North Pacific Example
• Tools of the Trade
• Conclusion
• Acknowledgments
• References

Chapter 7. Veterinary Medicine and Sea Otter Conservation

• Unique Features in Natural History are Important
• Veterinary Medicine and the Evolution of Sea Otter Capture and Handling
• Physical and Chemical Immobilization of Sea Otters
• Role of Sea Otter Anatomy and Physiology on Conservation
• The Veterinary Contribution to Sea Otter Conservation
• Sea Otter Conservation, Disease, and Veterinary Medicine
• Future Roles of Veterinary Medicine in Sea Otter Conservation
• References

Chapter 8. Sea Otters in Captivity: Applications and Implications of Husbandry Development, Public Display, Scientific Research and Management, and Rescue and Rehabilitation for Sea Otter Conservation

• Introduction
• Part One: Small Numbers of Sea Otters in Captivity
• Part Two: Temporary Holding of Large Numbers of Wild Animals
• Discussion
• Acknowledgments
• References

Chapter 9. The Value of Rescuing, Treating, and Releasing Live-Stranded Sea Otters

• Introduction
• Sea Otter Strandings and Stranding Response
• Caseload Management and Ethical Challenges
• The Surrogacy Project
• Creating Value
• Conclusion
• References

Chapter 10. The Use of Quantitative Models in Sea Otter Conservation

• Introduction
• Models of Behavior
• Models of Population Dynamics
• Models of Community Dynamics
• Some Examples: Applied Conservation Models
• Conclusion
• References

Chapter 11. First Nations Perspectives on Sea Otter Conservation in British Columbia and Alaska: Insights into Coupled Human–Ocean Systems

• Introduction: Regime Shifts and Transformations along North America’s Northwest Coast
• Sea Otter Use in Ancient Times
• Ancient Governance and Management Protocols of Coastal Marine Resources and Sea Otters
• Balancing the Needs of People and Nature: First Nations Perspectives
• Navigating Towards Ecological and Social Resilience on the Northwest Coast
• Acknowledgments
• References

Chapter 12. Shellfish Fishery Conflicts and Perceptions of Sea Otters in California and Alaska

• California
• Conclusion
• Disclaimer
• Acknowledgments
• References

Chapter 13. Conservation in Practice

• Introduction
• Impact of the Commercial Fur Trade on Sea Otter Populations
• Laws and Treaties to Protect Sea Otters
• Reintroduction of Sea Otters
• Protecting Habitat
• Endangered Species Legislation
• Species Recovery Versus Ecological Community Recovery
• Conclusion
• Acknowledgments
• References

Chapter 14. Synopsis of the History of Sea Otter Conservation in the United States

• Introduction
• Protection and Security of Fur-Bearing Mammals in Alaskan Territorial Waters in the Nineteenth Century, Following the 1867 Treaty of Cession
• Protection of Sea Otters in International Waters
• Protective Laws and Protocols in the Individual States
• Development of Contemporary Protocols of Individual States benefiting the Conservation of Sea Otters
• Regional-Scale Non-Governmental Organizations with Foci on the Conservation of Sea Otters
• The IUCN Red List and Key Federal Legislation as Tools for Sea Otter Conservation
• Protection of Federally Managed Habitat Spaces and Waters Utilized by Sea Otters
• Discussion
• Acknowledgments
• References