Image
soaw logo

Celebrate 21 Years of Sea Otter Awareness Week

Defenders of Wildlife, Sea Otter Savvy, the Elakha Alliance, the Monterey Bay Aquarium and California State Parks will commemorate the 21st annual Sea Otter Awareness
Image
By Justin Grubb- Running Wild Media
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA

Southern Sea Otter Does Not Warrant ESA Listing Change

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service this week issued its finding that the southern sea otter will retain its threatened status under the Endangered Species
Image
Sea otter raft of four
Washington, DC

New Defenders' Analysis Highlights Benefits of Full ESA Funding

A new analysis from Defender of Wildlife’s Center for Conservation Innovation (CCI), finds that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service only receives about 40% of the funding required to fully implement the Endangered Species Act.

More Sea Otter Press Releases

Image
Southern sea otters float at Moss Landing, California.
Sacramento, Calif.

Salmon Fishers Can Help Save Sea Otters

This weekend marked the beginning of the recreational salmon season in the ocean south of San Francisco, and anglers will flock to harbors along the central California coast to launch their boats and try their luck. This increased fishing activity brings concerns about sea otter safety as more boaters venture into waters where hard-to-spot sea otters forage for food.
Image
San Joaquin Kit Fox
SACRAMENTO

Gov. Newsom Approves Two Critical Environmental Protection Bills

Today, Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law Assembly Bill (AB) 1788, the California Ecosystems Protection Act of 2020 and earlier this week approved the California Sea Otter Voluntary Tax Contribution Fund (Senate Bill (SB) 587).
Image
Sea otters
SACRAMENTO

Sea Otter Tax Fund Legislation Passes Legislature, Moves to Gov. Newsom for Signature

This week, Senate Bill (SB) 587, the California Sea Otter Voluntary Tax Contribution Fund, passed the state legislature and will now move to Governor Newsom’s desk for signature.
Image
sea otter

Increased Human Activity Poses Potential Threat to Marine Wildlife

While many types of recreational activities are still limited by covid-19, kayakers and paddleboarders are once again crowding coastal ecosystems shared by wildlife. In turn, conservation groups are fielding a surge of reports about disturbances to sea otters and other animals.
Image
Sea otter family in Morro Bay California
WASHINGTON

Friends of the Sea Otter Joins Forces with Defenders of Wildlife

Friends of the Sea Otter (FSO), a California-based organization dedicated to sea otter conservation, announced today that it has made the strategic decision to close its operations and transfer its agenda, services, and assets to Defenders of Wildlife.
Senior Vice President, External Affairs
lsheehan@defenders.org
202-772-3244
Communications Director
mdewane@defenders.org
(202) 772-0217
Communications Specialist
jcovey@defenders.org
Communications Specialist
hhammer@defenders.org
(202) 772-0295
Communications Specialist
jpetrequin@defenders.org
(202) 772-0243