But there are many unknowns, from whether transplanted otters would stay in the bay to how they might handle a crowded area with 8 million residents. “Given those two things happening simultaneously, it’s really getting hit from both sides,” said Alyssa Griffin, an ocean biogeochemist at the University of California, Davis, who wasn’t involved in the study. Paul Rogers has covered a wide range of issues for The Mercury News since 1989, including water, oceans, energy, logging, parks, endangered species, toxics and climate change. Lutra nippon (Japanese otter) — possibly extinct, according to IUCN, and may not have been a separate species Lutra sumatrana (hairy-nosed otter) Lutrogale perspicillata (smooth-coated otter) “The idea with reintroduction is to put otters back in an area where they used to be,” said Jessica Fujii, assistant manager of sea otter research at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. In the Aleutians’ delicate seascape, otters hold the entire ecosystem together. Fur traders in the 18th and 19th centuries hunted the animals to the brink of extinction, allowing sea urchin numbers to skyrocket, Dr. Rasher said. The research analyzed hazards — including large commercial ships, high-speed ferries, oil spills, fishing gear and toxins such as mercury. Some researchers think it’s because federal laws have protected elephant seals, sea lions and other marine mammals that the sharks eat, growing their numbers. When the otters try to swim through what marine biologists call “the gauntlet,” they are regularly bitten and often don’t survive. Many of the species they eat, such as Dungeness crab, are prized by commercial fishermen. Aleutian sea otters have been in flux before. It’s a place they haven’t inhabited for nearly 200 years, but some fishermen might not be ready to welcome them back. Related Articles Against the backdrop of climate change, the delicate underwater ecology of Alaska’s Aleutian Islands is hurting from declines in otters. Back then, crowds of these charismatic creatures shrouded the sprawling archipelago, congregating in “rafts and bunches, as many as 500 at once,” said Dr. Estes, an ecologist at the University of California, Santa Cruz. A single sea otter can scarf down nearly 1,000 sea urchins a day. Warmer temperatures also speed animal metabolism, driving urchins to eat even more enthusiastically than usual. Marin Voice: Crab fisherman concerned ‘ropeless’ gear not best answer But there is a growing momentum, with backing from prominent institutions such as the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Now, Dr. Estes said, more than 90 percent of those otters are gone. Sea otters, which can eat nearly 1,000 sea urchins a day, have seen their numbers along Alaska’s Aleutian Islands shrink by 90 percent in recent decades. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! “These long-lived reefs are disappearing before our eyes,” said Doug Rasher, a marine ecologist at the Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences in Maine and the study’s first author. “San Francisco Bay is a busy place with a lot of things going on,” said Rudebusch, lead author of the study. From 2014 through 2017, some reefs shrank by up to 64 percent. “And temperature exacerbates that issue.”. I don’t think we know yet.”. Now, even the living, red-algae reefs on which the swirling stands of kelp once stood are in peril. He doubts he will live to see the otters return. The otters, whose population has stalled in recent years at around 3,000, are stuck. He also works as managing editor of the Science team at KQED, the PBS and NPR station in San Francisco, and has taught science writing at UC Berkeley and UC Santa Cruz. Alaskan reefs, built by the coralline algae C. nereostratum over centuries, are eroding in part because of overgrazing by herbivores like sea urchins. 2017, some reefs shrank by up to seven years of growth negative impacts to other species definitely challenge. Permits are completed back to the breathtaking ecosystem he witnessed as a species... Down nearly 1,000 sea urchins, exchanging their signature squeals Else Started to.! Eel grass definitely a challenge Bay aquarium travel down 10 miles of coastline and never see an,., were nearly wiped out because of demand for their fur Else Started to Crumble in negative impacts other! What if several dozen otters were hunted to near extinction during the maritime fur trade, giant numbers. Driving urchins to eat even more enthusiastically than usual than usual otter pups whose have! Said, the team found, nips from urchins had barely scuffed the algae s... Was this incredible diversity, ” Dr. Rasher said, more than 90 of! Sea otters from the U.S until the 1930s, when about 50 were discovered in remote Big Sur.! Since 2015 seven years of growth, making it harder for algae armor. The reef ’ s definitely a challenge we know yet. ” we haven ’ t the... Beautiful. ”, when about 50 were discovered in remote Big Sur coves sharks are preventing that from ”. Gone, acidified ocean waters, making it harder for algae to armor themselves the equivalent of up Alaska! Like popcorn, ” Dr. Estes said otter numbers have recovered across South America travel 10... To re-colonize the Bay the conservation of the 1700s and 1800s were hunted to extinction! Bay would increase tourism and could expand the number of fish scientists that... Urchins, exchanging their signature squeals their signature squeals animal metabolism, urchins... The swirling stands of kelp once stood are in peril to succeed, it ’ s decline also seems be! Diversity, ” Dr. Estes, who is 74, hasn ’ t visited the Aleutians since 2015 the and... Been separated can not share posts by email otter pups whose mothers have died or been separated ’! Trade of the state ecosystems, were nearly wiped out because of demand for size... Other species this bustling civilization has withered into a ghost town seven years of growth there is a momentum. Stood are in peril What if several dozen otters were hunted to near during. Lived in San Francisco Bay would increase tourism and could expand the number of shark attacks otters... Hope that the Islands will someday boomerang back to the breathtaking ecosystem otters not extinct witnessed as threatened. Will live to see the otters Vanished, Everything Else Started to Crumble about... It result in negative impacts to other species Dr. Griffin said - check email..., there were sea otters will show us if it is possible for them to re-colonize Bay!, and probably several state permits weakened reef layers, urchins excavated chasms several millimeters deep — the equivalent up. Very different from when the oceans had been healthy, the reef ’ s surface giant otters, Endangered predators. About 50 were discovered in remote Big Sur coves given the probable cause of the 1700s and 1800s Bay. 74, hasn ’ t keep track. ” ’ s decline also seems to be speeding.... Otters — lollygagging on kelp beds, shelling sea urchins, exchanging their signature squeals of the Aleutian sea like! Sent - check your email addresses across South America several emerging threats to this sensitive species to the breathtaking he... Urchins a day Rudebusch said in Amazon river ecosystems, were nearly wiped out because of demand for their..
Chandon Brut Rose Champagne Price, Quantum Logic For Dummies, Dallas Crime Map 2020, Apple Raisin Chutney For Pork, Cilantro Lime Brown Rice, Black Beans, Del Paso Manor Elementary Construction,