"It's a very complex issue and we'll see how it unfolds," she said. “Some of them are resting, others are grooming, shaking their fur, repositioning.”, Pinel has made sea otter viewing a main focus of the ecotourism tours he has been leading for the last 20 years in the region. In this case, the estimated gain in potential revenue for tourism operators in the region would be approximately $9.5, tourism opportunities, these profits may not reach First Nations communities that are not part of the wildlife tourism economy and yet are often negatively impacted by the return of. On the other hand, the disturbance they create may contribute to releasing carbon buried in the sediment into the atmosphere. That’s why you may occasionally see, for example, a fur seal or harbor seal in the sea otter exhibit. “The sea otters came and destroyed everything,” Hansen says. Found on the rugged northwest coast of Vancouver Island, Nootka Sound is a remarkable coastal region unparalleled in it’s seascapes and wildlife. West Coast Expeditions offers a variety of sea kayaking tours from Spring Island – including a five-day sea otter kayaking expedition. Meet the four, charming, inspiring sea otters and learn about their rescue stories: Elfin: One of the two male sea otters, Elfin was found alone in the waters near Juneau, Alaska by fishermen in 2001. When they first arrive in an area, they eat all the selfish they can: sea urchins first, but also abalone, mussels, clams, crabs and snails. Sea otters were locally extinct in British Columbian waters in Canada, until a plane containing a romp of otters arrived and set off a population boom – with unintended consequences. The reintroduction to B.C. . Plus, you can also see sea otters at the Oregon Zoo and Vancouver Aquarium! On land, visitors may also notice beach-cast kelp, another potential sea otter effect. 4 Days / 3 Nights. Get up close with the six rescued sea otters during a sea otter encounter. Coastal wolves that patrol the Mission Group of islands are able to include sea otters on the menu of their marine diet, while harlequin ducks follow sea otters in the wintertime, also hoping for a good meal. ... See all photos. Sea otter researcher Erin Foster and naturalist Jackie Hildering count otters for a coastal survey around the northern tip of Vancouver Island. Earlier today, the Vancouver Aquarium’s marine mammal trainers held a “snow enrichment session” with their six rescued sea otters: Tanu, Katmai, Mak, Kunik, Rialto, and Hardy. Also, while Tofino-based tourismoperatorsmay benefit from increased sea ottertourism opportunities, these profits may not reach First Nations communities that are not part of the wildlife tourism economy and yet are often negatively impacted by the return of sea otters. The restricted range is a result of the single introduction back onto Vancouver Island. Their numbers and range have expanded rapidly, and there are now nearly 7,000 animals along the west coast of Vancouver Island and the central coast of B.C.Ironically, Spring Island—where the otters are now a regular sight—was named after Captain William Spring who was involved in the fur trade up and down the Pacific Coast and contributed to the decline of fur seal and sea otter populations in the late 1800s. Unlike other marine mammals, they do not have a layer of blubber to keep them warm. According to Aquarium staff, the enrichment sessions provide mental and physical stimulation for the animals and gives them a chance to strengthen their bonds with their trainers. This year, during many of our whale watching excursions, we have had the amazing opportunity to view these adorable marine mammals close to Victoria. Kelp forests provide cover and food for many invertebrates and fish, help reduce coastal erosion and capture carbon. Vancouver Aquarium: two sea otters float around, napping, holding hands. At low tide, Spring Island’s shoreline becomes alive with colours and movement. For example, when otters dig seagrass beds to find clams and leave foraging holes behind, they may be oxygenating the soil and helping the seagrass grow faster. “With sea otters on our doorstep, it is an opportunity to discuss them in the context of how a place has been changing through time and what the relationships are with humans.”. Earlier today, the Vancouver Aquarium’s marine mammal trainers held a “snow enrichment session” with their six rescued sea otters: Tanu, Katmai, Mak, Kunik, Rialto, and Hardy. ’s engineering impacts are going to be on seagrass beds,” says Margot Hessing-Lewis. The last otters seen in B.C. Sea otter populations in Alaska are now quite healthy. Sign up for our newsletter to get exclusive content, contests, and perks direct to you. He also trains younger members of the community to become guides. Dedicated staff had to bottle-feed and groom them until they learned how to do it themselves. “It was like being in a middle of a drumming circle.”. “The jury is still out as what the seaotter’s engineering impacts are going to be on seagrass beds,” says Margot Hessing-Lewis, a marine ecologist at Hakai Institute who studies interactions between sea otters and the linkages between nearshore habitats such as seagrass beds and kelp forests. 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