Sea Otter Translocation Talk--Newport

A raft of sea otters. /Photo by Lilian Carswell via USFW.

On Monday, July 17, at 11 a.m., the Elakha Alliance hosts a talk about the 1970s effort to translocate sea otters from Alaska to southern Oregon. Bob Bailey, Elakha Alliance Board President (and former Oregon Shores board member), will share the history of this event and what we can learn from it. Oregon Shores supports the work of the Elakha Alliance and has been a key partner since its founding. The talk is in the Hatfield Marine Science Center's Gladys Marine Studies Building (2030 SE Marine Science Dr in Newport), and offers the option to attend remotely.

About the talk:

"In the summers of 1970 and 1971, a total of 93 sea otters were flown from Amchitka Island, Alaska, to Port Orford and Coos Bay for release into the ocean, 25 sea otters survived.

For nearly ten years, they made themselves at home on Blanco Reef, Simpson Reef, and other sites. They even had pups. But gradually, their numbers dwindled, and by 1981, all were gone.

What happened? Why were they brought to southern Oregon in the first place? What can we learn from this episode as we think about returning sea otters to the Oregon coast?

Bob Bailey, Board President of the Elakha Alliance, will tell the tale and answer your questions."

This event is free; use this link to attend via Zoom.