Sea otters in Monterey Bay, Calif.
By Regina Nuzzo
Herald Correspondent
Monterey County Herald
June 17, 2004
California sea otter numbers dropped in Monterey Bay since last year but rose significantly across the state for the second year in a row, according to a federal survey released Wednesday.
The record-high number was seen despite spring’s sharp spike in deaths caused by a parasite in Morro Bay. Scientists were encouraged by the report but worried whether the California sea otter could look forward to a stable future. This year’s population jump — up almost 13 percent to 2,825 otters — came mostly in male-dominated areas.
“We’re encouraged by the increase,” said survey organizer Brian Hatfield of the U.S. Geological Survey. “But we’d like to see an increase in reproducing females, too.”
Though promising, the rise is only a small step in the sea otter population’s eventual recovery.
