For more than a century, Oregon’s marine ecosystem has been without this keystone species. Evidence suggests that today’s nearshore kelp ecosystem is less resilient than when sea otters were present.
Over five decades of research indicates a healthy, established population of sea otters can result in more extensive and richer kelp forests that attract and retain eggs, larvae, and juveniles of many species of fish and shellfish, including those of commercial importance. Learn more about the kelp ecosystem…