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 conservationProvides guidance on how to manage threats to the sea otter populations in the face of future global changesHighlights the effects that interactions of coastal animals have with the marine ecosystem

1. The Conservation of Sea Otters: A Prelude Shawn Larson and James L. Bodkin 2. Natural History, Ecology, and the Conservation and Management of Sea Otters James A. Estes 3. Historic and Contemporary Status of Sea Otters in the North Pacific J.L. Bodkin 4. Challenges to Sea Otter Recovery and Conservation Brenda E. Ballachey and James L. Bodkin 5. Sea Otter Conservation Genetics Shawn Larson, Katherine Ralls and Holly Ernest 6. Evaluating the Status of Individuals and Populations: Advantages of Multiple Approaches and Time Scales D.H. Monson and L. Bowen 7. Veterinary Medicine and Sea Otter Conservation Michael J. Murray 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 Glenn R. VanBlaricom, Traci F. Belting and Lisa H. Triggs 9. The Value of Rescuing, Treating, and Releasing Live-Stranded Sea Otters Andrew Johnson and Karl Mayer 10. The Use of Quantitative Models in Sea Otter Conservation M. Tim Tinker 11. First Nations Perspectives on Sea Otter Conservation in British Columbia and Alaska; Insights into Coupled Human-Ocean Systems Anne K. Salomon, Kii'iljuus Barb J. Wilson, Xanius Elroy White, Nick Tanape and Tom Mexsis Happynook 12. Shellfish Fishery Conflicts and Perceptions of Sea Otters in California and Alaska Lilian P. Carswell, Suzann G. Speckman, and Verena A. Gill 13. Conservation in Practice Linda M. Nichol 14. Synopsis of the History of Sea Otter Conservation in the United States Glenn R. VanBlaricom