SEA OTTER Research

Sea otters (Enhydra lutris) have had a long history of federal protection dating back to 1911 when they were hunted to near extinction—the International Fur Seal Treaty was one of the earliest forms of legislation protecting marine mammals. Despite subsequent federal protection under the Marine Mammal Protection Act and the Endangered Species Act, southern and northern sea otters continue to be a threatened species. Most recently, the northern population (Enhydra lutris kenyoni) located in southwest Alaska was listed as threatened in 2005. Since the 1990's northern sea otters have undergone one of the worst population declines of carnivorous mammals in recorded history—and the Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC) is trying to find out why.

In 2003, the ASLC was awarded congressional appropriations to initiate a dedicated Sea Otter Research Program. Under the direction of Dr. James Estes, one of the world’s experts on sea otters, the ASLC has been examining why northern sea otter populations have declined precipitously, and moreover, how to aid in the recovery efforts of this species. As funding became available, research expanded to include another subspecies of sea otter, E. l. lutris, which is commonly found along the Russian Commander and Kuril Island chains. Both the northern sea otter and E. l. lutris share similar biogeography and habitats, but E. l. lutris has not experienced population declines—in fact, the opposite. This population is experiencing population growth at or near carrying capacity.

With our unique laboratory facilities and abilities to conduct field work in both Russia and the Aleutian Archipelago, our research has focused on ecological, epidemiological, and habitat-specific priorities potentially linked to the otter’s lack of recovery. Our recent discoveries in killer whales and their role as ocean predators have been the result of cutting-edge technologies and applications designed at the ASLC and by our collaborators. To learn more about our sea otter research projects, click on the subjects below: