150 



since 1984, FSO has participated in a Southern sea otter 

 recovery process that resulted in the translocation of 139 sea 

 otters to San Nicolas Island through the years 1987 to 1990. 

 Intended to provide a "reserve" colony of sea otters to be 

 drawn from after a major oil spill, the uncertain success of 

 the San Nicolas translocation program has instead shown us 

 that we need expanded recovery efforts. Based on the slow 

 growth of translocated sea otter populations, and the 

 devastation that results from an oil spill the size of the 

 Exxon Valdez spill in 1989, we now know that the establishment 

 of small isolated groups of Southern sea otters will not 

 ensure their future. 



Sea otters have a profound effect in the structuring and 

 health of the nearshore ecosystem. Many scientists have 

 attributed to otters the role of a "keystone" species, i.e. . 

 one that shapes and drives the underlying food pyramid. Sea 

 otters occur largely in the nearshore environment (within one 

 mile of shore) , generally foraging in waters 120 feet or 

 shallower, and conducting all other activities at or near the 

 water's surface. They are highly visible to people. Their 

 engaging appearance and behavior drive a tourist industry; 

 their high visibility makes them prime subjects for shore- 

 based behavioral research and population studies; their 

 consumption of shellfish puts them in direct competition with 

 commercial shellfish enterprises; and their susceptibility to 



(10581-0002/DA931I80.0111 -2- 



