As top predators, sea otters are critical to maintaining the balance of nearshore ecosystems, such as kelp forests, embayments and estuaries.

Recently, the southern population has grown in some measure to more than 3,000 individuals. The Eurasian river otter is a member of the weasel family with a long lithe body, short legs and a thick tail. Why Are Sea Otters Important? Marine Mammals Management biologists work to keep the Alaska sea otter population and its habitats healthy and ensure there will be opportunities for a variety of human uses, including subsistence hunting and wildlife viewing. Sea otters are a keystone species, meaning their role in their environment has a greater effect than other species. Marine mammal species and populations are listed as endangered or threatened under the ESA. What is the population of the endangered marine otter? Type: Mammal Location: One of the widest distributions of a UK mammal species, the Eurasian Otter is found throughout Europe, eastern Russia and China, south and south east Asia and north Africa. Population number.

Its streamlined shape and webbed feet make it an agile swimmer. There are only about 3,000 southern sea otters left in the wild today. We track sea otter population abundance, trends, and distribution throughout Alaska using aerial and boat-based surveys. The sea otter decline set off a trophic cascade in which the coastal marine ecosystem underwent a phase shift from kelp forests to deforested sea urchin barrens. Marine Mammals Management biologists work to keep the Alaska sea otter population and its habitats healthy and ensure there will be opportunities for a variety of human uses, including subsistence hunting and wildlife viewing. Currently this species is classified as Endangered (EN) and … Sea otter population growth has stalled in recent years and many hurdles for full population recovery remain. Why Are Sea Otters Important? Status: Near Threatened … Otter cubs only open their eyes about five weeks after they are born. According to a survey conducted in 2004, the population of marine otters was 200-300. The sea otter decline set off a trophic cascade in which the coastal marine ecosystem underwent a phase shift from kelp forests to deforested sea urchin barrens. According to the IUCN Red List, the total Marine otter population size is around 800 to 2,000 individuals. After 1980s, the northern population off southern Alaska has not shown any reduction and it has now become stabilized. Sea otters are an iconic species, representing the beauty and diversity of marine life found along California’s coastline. There are only about 3,000 southern sea otters left in the wild today. Sea otter population growth has stalled in recent years and many hurdles for full population recovery remain. The Marine Otter is declining with important populations on Isla Catchagua in central Chile and Chiloe island to the south. What is the population of the endangered marine otter? However, marine otters have been said to be extinct now. The MMPA protects all marine mammal species; many of which are listed as depleted.

The Marine Life Information Network. According to a survey conducted in 2004, the population of marine otters was 200-300.