Protecting sea otter habitat is essential to allowing the species to recover. The nearshore of the central California coast looks pristine, but its ecological integrity is constantly under threat. Ensuring that otters have clean, healthy habitat free of disease and contaminants to expand into is paramount to the success of the population.

The Otter Project is committed to advocating for ecosystem based management of coastal ecosystems that is protective of the natural balance between species and the ocean. This involves both ensuring that otters have access to their historic range to expand into, as well as ensuring that otter habitat remains clean and safe for otters through the following programs. We're working to end the no otter zone, a policy that strips sea otters of essential legal protections in southern California, supporting the Marine Life Protection Act marine protected areas that have been established in the sea otter range, and preventing and addressing oil spills--one of the single biggest threats to the sea otter population, and the reason sea otters were listed as threatened in the first place.

Lastly, we're thinking about bigger picture ocean issues that will impact sea otters, and how otters play a role in them. We are concerned with impacts of climate change to sea otters, but also thinking about how sea otters, an important keystone species, can help us adapt to changing seas--simply by being sea otters! Check back later for more information on sea otters in a changing sea.