Sea Otters are a keystone species in the marine ecosystem off the coast of California, and they are at risk of extinction due to environmental issues that we can influence. The sea otter population off the coast of California has dropped from 20,000 to only 3,000. These numbers are up from their lowest point 100 years ago, but they are still dangerously low and we need to ensure we are doing what we can to protect and preserve them.
Sea otters are crucial to maintaining kelp forests underwater, which serve as shelter and food for other marine animals. Without sea otters, the kelp could be devoured by other animals, which would disrupt the ecosystem and carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere too.
The man-made chemicals that flow into our oceans are causing sea otters to get sick and die. Oil spills have caused their fur to mat, resulting in the sea otters dying of hypothermia. Fishing nets and traps are capturing sea otters and causing them to drown. We can take action to reduce these impacts to sea otters, and we must if we want to preserve these creatures that are so critical to the marine ecosystem.
Please join me today by signing this petition to ensure that the National Marine Fisheries Service continues to fund efforts to preserve the sea otters.
