MANAGEMENT 



Management of sea otters depends on knowledge of population 

 size and trend. This knowledge may not become available until 

 a cropping program has been in operation for several years. A 

 tentative management program can, however, be set on the basis 

 of present knowledge. 



In the case of the sea otter, incomplete knowledge of population 

 dynamics factors dictates that a flexible management program be 

 initiated. This should be closely coordinated with a continuing 

 program of studies of reproduction, mortality, maturation, aging, 

 optimum population size, movements, and habitat status. Quanti- 

 tatively these factors will vary in different habitats and according 

 to population density, food availability, etc. 



If a wildlife resource is to produce a maximum sustained 

 annual yield, mortality from all causes must not exceed recruitment 

 at an optimum population level. At the present stage of our 

 knowledge of sea otter biology, the following recommendations for 

 a management program appear relevant: 



(1) To attain knowledge of the population level of maximum 

 sustainable yield, a relatively isolated study population should be 

 chosen (Amchitka is a possible choice). (2) At the chosen location 

 a sustained annual harvest should be taken without regard to 

 economic yield. (3) Annual population surveys (preferably aerial) 

 should be conducted where harvests take place. (4) Late winter 

 and spring mortality should be monitored. (5) All female reproduc- 

 tive tracts, with carefully gathered field data, should be analyzed. 

 (6) During harvesting operations animals of a size most desired 

 by the fur market should be taken without regard to sex (the sex 

 of an otter in the field is diflficult to recognize) except that all 

 females accompanied by young should be spared. (7) If it becomes 

 evident that a kill predominating in males is desired, harvesting 

 operations should be concentrated at or near known male concen- 

 tration areas. 



While a regular annual crop of otters is being taken from the 

 chosen study population, otters should also be taken in other areas 

 where they are now known to be abundant. These areas are (1) the 

 Shumagin Islands, (2) the Bering Sea off Unimak Island and the 

 tip of the Alaska Peninsula, (3) the Sanak Island-Sandman Reefs 



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