Approaching Sea Otters

[jaymal]

Last Saturday as I was gearing up to dive at Target Rock (where I spent my entire dive looking searching in the eel grass for a lost fin) a photographer on the beach started yelling at a kayaker cruising by to stop harassing the 5 or 6 sea otters wrapped in kelp and munching away. The kayaker was perhaps 30 feet away from the otters and I don't think he was even facing the otters at the time. The photographer began screaming that the kayaker was breaking the law.

It seems to be a common occurrence now for whenever divers get in the water or kayakers cruise by here in Morro Bay that somebody inevitably will call the harbor patrol to report that the otters are being harassed. I have never seen anybody actually intentionally getting too close to the otters. The otters have never appeared to pay much attention to divers except for the occasional stare.

My question is what is the law governing sea otters. Is there a minimum distance you must maintain or can you ignore them and the otters ignore you and everybody is happy to enjoy the day.

Except of course the photographer with an over abundance of lung capacity.

Thanks,

Jeremy

 

[Coll]

Jeremy, otters are a protected species and therefor, yes there is a law stating how far you must stay away from them. I don't remember exactly what the distance is but I think it's somewhere in the ballpark of 50 or 100 feet. All marine mammals are protected by The Marine Mammal Protection Act which was established in 1972 and part of that act is that all marine mammals must be given a wide berth. Of course, people usually will break this law because no one is there to enforce the law (Although it sounds like you have people out there watching out for the otters which is good to hear). In my opinion, it is ok to be within 30 feet or so but the problem is the people who want to see the animal's react to them so they'll get as close as possible and annoy the animals. In my experience this includes kayakers trying to poke otters with their oars, people poking seals and sea lions lying on the beach with sticks and in regards to scuba diving, generally getting as close as possible to get a good picture or experience. In your story the kayaker is 30 feet away and does not seem to be harassing the animal but I would have to say that is probably the exception to the rule, I've worked in the marine mammal field for 5 years and part of that was marine mammal rescue and I can't even tell you how many times we have gone out to help an animal only to see people throwing rocks at it, poking it, letting their dog chase it and perhaps most sickening letting their kids jump up and down on a sick harbor seal. It is stupid, cruel and dangerous to pester marine mammals and as for otters, they have incredibly strong teeth and can do serious damage if you startle them. Just ask my boss who has long scars on her shoulder where a territorial otter came out of nowhere and mauled her through her 14mm's of neoprene on a dive. Best thing to do is keep 50 feet away and admire them from there, if they come to investigate you, enjoy the experience but don't try to pet them or play with them.

 

[jaymal]

Thanks Coll.

50 to 100 feet sounds reasonable. Although with Morro Bay that kind of distance would be difficult to achieve most of the time. The area is not all that large.

I have not seen any diver or kayaker intentionally harass any of the otters although I can certainly see how a kayaker or a spectator on the beach could approach the otters to see what they would do.

Thanks!

Jeremy

 

[Clammy]

I once had an otter intentionally play with me. It started during the dive, and he kept playing with me on my surface swim. Can I play back or does that somehow break a rule?

 

[Coll]

Clammy, maybe he saw your Scubaboard name and thought you were food? In all seriousness though, I have had otters play with me also and my preference and advice is to let them do what they want but don't encourage or discourage the behavior. Let them satisfy their curiosity, it's also easy to confuse "playing" with mating behavior or dominance behavior with a lot of animals (in particular dolphins) but also with sea otters. I would definitely strongly advise against playing back. It is breaking a law, but again, no one out there is going to throw handcuffs on you so it's up to you how you comport yourself.

 

[fairybasslet]

I love sea otters. I didn't know about the distance requirement. One day, when I save for a dry suit, I'm going to CA to see if one will set up a play date with me.