The fast-growing population of otters, he found, has revitalized the eelgrass beds in the once-degraded waterway, which meanders from the headwaters in San Benito County through Moss Landing and flows out into Monterey Bay.
Sea Otters
California Sea Otters Amaze Observer
“What I saw next really surprised me. There was indeed a dead otter on the beach but there was another otter touching it with its nose and paws almost as if it was trying to revive the deceased otter. This continued for several minutes.”
Southern Sea Otter Population Improves
“We believe the high count this year is partly explained by excellent viewing conditions, but it also appears to reflect increased food availability in the range center,” says Dr. Tim Tinker, a research ecologist who leads the USGS sea otter research program. “The boom in sea urchin abundance throughout northern and central California has provided a prey bonanza for sea otters, and that means more pups and juveniles are surviving to adulthood.”
Otters, Dolphins: Polluted Waters are “Death by a Million Cuts”
From National Geographic, April 11, 2013 Editor’s Note: Most highlights by N911 staff The dead sea otters arrived at Melissa Miller’s Santa Cruz, California, lab with bright-yellow eyes and gums, their livers destroyed. One by one, Miller, a marine-wildlife veterinarian,… Read More ›
What About Sea Otters & Seismic Blasts?
Editor’s Note: Carol Georgi is the California Central Coast marine Sanctuary Alliance Coordinator. She is active in halting the proposed PG&E Seismic Testing proposal along the Central Coast. Her concern, as shown in this letter to the US Fish and… Read More ›
Coastal Community Protests Decibel Levels, Intensity of Proposed Seismic Testing
By Charmaine Coimbra Citizens along the Central Coast of California have joined forces to halt the proposed seismic testing in the ocean waters that lap up against the Diablo Nuclear Plant, as reported in a recent Neptune 911 post. The… Read More ›
Seismic Testing Proposed for California’s Central Coast
Editor’s Note: Seismic Testing is known to harm marine mammals. Is it another trashing of the ocean’s or an essential tool to learn more about earthquake faulting and oil exploration? What is Seismic Testing? Following the news story by David… Read More ›
Sea Otters Under Attack
Editor’s Note: Two stories featured the endangered California Sea Otter in today’s news: Unexplained great white shark attacks on sea otters, and a bill, HR4043, ending protection of otters on a military weapons test site. Both are posted here. … Read More ›
Gray Whale Numbers Up While Artic Ring Seals Suffer
By Charmaine Coimbra I celebrated my mid-December birthday with a hike along a Central California bluff. The day was warm and eucalyptus blended with salt air invigorated my soul. When I finally reached trail’s end on a bluff that overlooks the… Read More ›
Sea Otter Death Toll Rises in 2010
From The San Francisco Chronicle Victoria Colliver, Chronicle Staff Writer Sunday, January 23, 2011 A record number of sea otter bodies were found on California coastlines last year, a trend that leaves scientists and conservationists concerned for the future of… Read More ›
Neptune 911! 