Sea Otter Research Support

Funds from California citizens who check box on tax form used to better understand marine pollution and sea otter disease link. Habitat improvement is good for people too

The southern sea otter is facing an uphill battle to survive. But last year the citizens of California showed their support for this endangered marine mammal by checking the Sea Otter Fund box on their tax forms. Continued funding will go a long way toward improving the health of the otters and their ocean habitat.

Sea otter researchers have shown that there is a link between marine pollution and the continued decline of the southern sea otter population. Some of the funding for these studies came from the tax form fund. While raising money to help the sea otter, the fund has also raised public awareness of the issues surrounding sea otter recovery.

An added benefit that most people are unlikely to think about is how this knowledge may be used to improve the nearshore ocean habitat that many of us enjoy visiting. Swimming in seas full of pollutants is not good for either species. Neither is eating contaminated shellfish. And while we have choices, it would be great not to have to stay away from the ocean and its bounty because of pollution concerns.

More and more it is becoming clear that protecting wildlife habitat is going to be necessary to protect human health. If you live in California, support the Sea Otter Fund. If not, what can you do locally to improve your environment for yourself, and your local wildlife?