Defenders-Sponsored Bill to Help Fund Sea Otter Conservation Heads to Governor for Signature

The California state legislature today voted to re-establish the California Sea Otter Voluntary Tax Contribution Fund, providing residents with the opportunity to directly support this iconic animal. Defenders of Wildlife sponsored state Sen. John Laird’s (D-Santa Cruz) effort to bring back this critical funding source that helps to protect and recover sea otters. We celebrate this significant milestone toward the return of the fund under Senate Bill 575 as it heads to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk.

“California sea otters are not only a keystone species along our fragile coastlines, they are also pillars of hope and resilience in the coastal communities that have a strong desire to protect them,” said Pamela Flick, Defenders of Wildlife California program director. “We are so grateful for Sen. Laird’s leadership on SB 575, which will allow generous taxpayers to once again donate to sea otter conservation. We urge the governor to sign this bill without delay.”  

Contributions to the California Sea Otter Voluntary Tax Contribution Fund fell short in 2024 by $21,301 of the quarter-million-dollar annual minimum to remain active, making it impossible for taxpayers to contribute in 2025. Sen. Laird introduced SB 575 to re-establish the fund and extend its sunset date to 2033.  

“I was proud to help establish this fund 20 years ago, and I’m just as proud to see it restored today,” said Sen. Laird. “Sea otters are an important part of a healthy California coast, helping protect our kelp forests and the marine life they support. SB 575 ensures Californians can continue to voluntarily support the recovery of this iconic species and the coastal ecosystems that depend on it.”

The California Sea Otter Fund is one of several voluntary contribution funds available to California taxpayers when filing their state income tax returns. Money raised through the fund goes to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the California State Coastal Conservancy to further research, education and protection of this iconic marine mammal. The fund is also crucial to investigating causes of death and why the southern sea otter — commonly called the California sea otter — is struggling to thrive in the state.  

The southern sea otter, currently listed as “threatened” under the federal Endangered Species Act, is one of three subspecies of sea otter and the only one in California. There are approximately 3,000 southern sea otters left in the wild, which are found along California’s central coast between Santa Mateo and Santa Barbara Counties. Sea otters are a keystone species and top predators that maintain the balance of the near-shore kelp ecosystems.  

Defenders of Wildlife works to protect and restore southern sea otter populations along the Pacific coast through public education and outreach, and sponsors Sea Otter Awareness Week during the last full week of September each year.