178 



Dr. LiNDusKA. I have lieard that report. 



Mr. DixGMJ.. Has this Ijeen investigated by your agency? 



Dr. LiNDUSKA. Not to my knowledge, Mr. Chairman. 



Mr. DixGELL. Investigated by any other agency at the request of 



your agency? u I 



Dr. LixDusKA. I am sure the California fish and game people would I 

 have information on that point. 1 



Mr. DiNGELL. Would you inquire of them on that particular point 

 at the insistence of the committee ? 



Dr. LixDusKA. I would be happy to. 



(The information follows:) 



The Sea Otter 



In California, tlie sea otter occurs presently in a coastal zone extending from 

 Carniel to Cayucos. and for 100 miles seaward. This zone has been set aside 

 by the State of California as an inviolate refuge for this species. In this area, 

 it is estimated that there are 1,014 to 1,020 individuals. This population developed 

 from the several animals present in the 1930's to its present level at an exponen- 

 tial rate. i.e. in accordance with the classic sigmoid growth curve. It is believed 

 that this population now has reached the saturation level, for some disijersal 

 is occurring with the result that animals are establishing themselves elsewhere 

 along the California coast. 



Rather than being a declining population, it has been a vigorous and increas- 

 ing one. Its pre.sent stability in addition to active dispersion support this view. 

 There is space in a fully occupied habitat for no further increase in density. 

 Animal.s in excess of this are obliged to disperse. 



About two-thirds of the animals seen off California, are seen out.side the 

 100-mile refuge zone. This is one cause for friction with abalone fishermen- 

 These fishermen contend the sea otter is depleting their fishery. Poaching by 

 some of the fishermen is one result of this friction. Last September (1970) three 

 were fined .$1,000 each for shooting and killing three sea otters. 



The California Fish and Game Department undertook a 3-year study of their 

 sea otters and the abalone problem in 1968. One of its objectives is to acquire 

 information to support recommendations to the State legislature on a manage- 

 ment bill for the California sea otter population. 



In recent years, .sea otters from the Aleutian (Alaska) population have been 

 translocated to coastal areas of southeast Alaska, British Columbia, Washington, 

 and Oregon. Each of these translocations appears to be successful. 



For several years the State of Alaska has been "han'esting" animals from 

 the Aleutian population, where a condition of excess population exists. Car- 

 casses of individuals found along beaches, upon examination were found to be 

 emaciated and their stomachs contained remains of sea foods, notably sea 

 urchins, which seem not to provide suflBcient nourishment to sustain their lives. 

 These carcasses usually are of animals that either are young or have severely 

 worn teeth. The more vigorous animals are able to catch fi«h. This is the situa- 

 tion which leads Alaskan biologists to consider some of the Al?utian sea otter 

 populations to be excessive for the supporting capacity of their habitat. Aleut 

 Indians are engaged by the Alaska Fish and Game Department to do the harvest- 

 ing, which is carried out under the .«:upervision of departmental biologists. (This 

 information is largely from Karl Kenyon via telephone.) 



Mr. DixGELL. Mr. Rountree ? 



Mr. RorxTREE. Thank vou, Mr. Chairman. 



In order to comply with the provisions in our House rules I wonder 

 if you could submit for the record a 5-year cost estimate for all the 

 various nieces of legislation which the committee is considering now ? 



In addition, you have indicated that vour Department is involved 

 in the preparation of some draft legislation pertainin.q: to additional 

 authority and responsibilities under the Endangered Species Act. 



If you are not able to do so now, perhaDS you could submit for the 

 record exactly how these draft recommendations or draft proposals, 



