Help end the No Otter Zone in Sourthern California

The Otter Project needs your help to end the "No-Otter" Zone in southern California.

What is the issue?

 
Since 1987, a "No-Otter" Zone has existed in southern California extending from Point Conception in the north, to the Mexico border in the south.

This artificial zone, brought about due to pressure from fishing and oil industry interests, has sought to inhibit the natural range expansion of the southern sea otter into southern California.

Part of this "management" process has been to translocate (i.e. move) otters within this zone to either north of the Point Conception boundary, or to a colony of sea otters created on San Nicolas Island.

To put it mildly, this experiment has been a total failure. (Click here for an extended analysis).

Due to the results of a joint legal effort undertaken by The Otter Project and the Environmental Defense Center in 2009, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has opened a period of public comment about the "No-Otter" Zone that will end on the 24th October 11:59pm EST.

During this period, we need concerned citizens such as yourself to publicly support the termination of the "No-Otter" Zone and the reinstatement of full protection for southern sea otters under the Endangered Species Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act.

How can I help?

 
You will notice that there is a countdown clock at the top of this page. After this clock reaches zero, you will no longer be able to have your voice heard or your comments submitted to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to help the southern sea otter reclaim its home range.

For an overview of the ways that you can get involved, click here now.

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