Otter News Archive

Slow down on the water for sea otters in Elkhorn Slough

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29th March 2010

Rachel Zentz

The Salinas Californian, Salinas, California, USA

The first day of recreational salmon season is Saturday, April 3.

However, with large numbers of sea otters residing in the Moss Landing area, accidental deaths of otters by boat strikes are a major concern.

The Monterey Bay Aquarium, Defenders of Wildlife, Friends of the Sea Otter, Moss Landing Harbor District and other local organizations remind recreational fishers and boaters to safeguard sea otters and other wildlife by slowing down in and around Elkhorn Slough and Moss Landing Harbor.

"We've seen as many as 100 otters in Moss Landing Harbor near the boat launch. If fishermen are speeding out of the north harbor in the dark at 5 a.m., the likelihood of boat strikes is fairly high," said Karl Mayer, animal care coordinator for the Monterey Bay Aquarium's Sea Otter Research and Conservation (SORAC) program.

"We're also concerned about boat strikes at the harbor entrance between the north and south jetties, where sea otters frequently forage as they enter and exit the harbor area," Mayer said. "These animals are at risk if boats are speeding when the otters surface from a foraging dive."

Linda G. McIntyre, general manager/harbormaster of the Moss Landing Harbor District, encourages safe navigation by boaters throughout the year.

The slough is a no-wake zone, with a posted speed limit of 5 knots, or about 4 miles per hour; McIntyre said she and her staff will be on patrol on opening day and will issue citations for speeding violations.

In addition, killing marine mammals is prohibited under the Marine Mammal Protection Act and, for any listed species like the southern sea otter, under the Endangered Species Act, and is subject to criminal and civil penalties, including substantial fines and imprisonment.