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Sea Otter Advocacy
Sea Otter Advocacy
Protecting sea otters helps to sustain kelp forests, strengthen coastal resilience, and support thriving nearshore ecosystems.

Why Sea Otters Matter

Sea otters are more than a beloved and charismatic marine mammal. As keystone predators, they help keep sea urchins and other invertebrates in balance, allowing kelp forests and seagrass beds to thrive. These habitats support diverse marine life and contribute to healthier, more resilient coastal ecosystems.

After the fur trade nearly eliminated sea otters from much of their historic range, populations have begun to recover in some areas. Their recover remains uneven, however, and continued conservation, research, public education, and collaboration with coastal communities are essential.

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Our Sea Otter Advocacy

Marine Conservation Institute supports sea otter conservation by elevating science, encouraging informed public dialogue, and bringing together researchers, Indigenous leaders, conservation practitioners, and coastal communities. Explore the conversations and resources below to learn more about sea otter recovery, coexistence, and the ecosystems they help sustain.

Conversations on Sea Otter Conservation

  • The Relationship Between Oyster Farms and Their Environment: A Sea Otter’s Perspective

    “The Relationship Between Oyster Farms and Their Environment: A Sea Otter’s Perspective”

    Hosts: The Marine Conservation Institute & Emily Reynolds, MS (Alaska Sea Grant State Fellow with NOAA’s Aquaculture Program)

    Description: This presentation will highlight recent research on sea otter activity and interactions with mariculture operations, including oyster farms. Ms. Reynolds will share insights into foraging behavior, habitat use, and the sea otter’s role as a participant in changing coastal economies.

    Click to watch webinar

  • WEBINAR: Ḵu | Ḵuu Sea Otters as Neighbours

    “WEBINAR: Ḵu Ḵuu Sea Otters as Neighbours”

    Hosts: The Marine Conservation Institute & Sea Otter Savvy

    Description: Join Marine Conservation Institute and Sea Otter Savvy for the "We Were Here" sea otter special event featuring Lynn Lee from Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Jaasaljuus Yakgujanaa of the Haida Gwaii Nation. Learn how communities are coexisting with sea otters as they continue their recovery in Haida Gwaii. X̱aayda Gwaay.yaay Ḵuugaay Gwii Sdiihltl'lx̱a: Working Together to Re-learn How to Live with Ḵu | Ḵuu Sea Otters as Neighbours Save the Date: Sept 24th 5PM PDT Live streamed to the Marine Conservation Institute's Facebook and Youtube.

    Click to watch webinar

  • Reintroduction of predators: The key to resilient kelp forests?

    “Reintroduction of predators: The key to resilient kelp forests?”

    Hosts: The Marine Conservation Institute & Sea Otter Savvy

    Description: The kelp forests off the Sonoma and Mendocino coasts have experienced a decline of over 95% of kelp coverage during the past decade due to an intense marine heat wave and the massive decline of the only natural predator of sea urchins living in the coast: the sunflower seastar. As the effects of climate change become more severe in the future, how can the kelp forest become more resistant to future marine heatwaves? Reintroducing predators might just be the key, and knowledge of the sunflower seastar can be applied to study the possibility of reintroducing other predators of sea urchins such as sea otters. Jorge Arroyo-Esquivel is a postdoctoral fellow in the Carnegie Institution for Science. He uses ecological models to develop strategies for marine conservation. Jorge obtained his PhD at UC Davis, where he studied the impacts of several restoration strategies on the short-term recovery of California's kelp forests.

    Click to watch webinar

Marine Conservation Institute has teamed up with Sea Otter Savvy to raise sea otter awareness

Here are a few resources to learn more about how you can support the recovery of sea otters:

  1. Elakha Alliance
  2. Sea Otter Savvy
  3. Bay Nature Article, Hannah Hindley
  4. Marine Mammal Commission
  5. Defenders of Wildlife
  6. Monterey Bay Aquarium
  7. Marine Conservation Institute's Blog