[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 142 (Monday, September 24, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1952]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     2007 SEA OTTER AWARENESS WEEK

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                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 24, 2007

  Mr. FARR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to call attention to the 5th 
Annual Sea Otter Awareness Week, September 23-29, 2007, sponsored by 
Defenders of Wildlife. This week-long event provides the opportunity to 
educate the broader public about sea otters, their natural history, the 
integral role that sea otters play in the near-shore marine ecosystem, 
and the conservation issues they are facing.
  In the past, the killing of these animals for their fur brought their 
numbers down to less than 100 by the 1930s. The decline of southern sea 
otter populations not only has impacts on the species itself, but also 
affects other marine populations and the surrounding ecosystem. For 
instance, the demise of sea otters allows their prey sea urchins to 
proliferate unchecked, which leads to the alarming overgrazing of kelp 
beds--one of the ocean's nursery grounds for many marine animals. In 
particular, research shows that the absence of sea otters has a direct 
link to the sharp decline of kelp along portions of California's coast. 
Sea otter research also has proven to be an effective method of 
monitoring toxins and diseases in the marine environment, both of which 
can affect the health of humans and other wildlife.
  The presence of the California sea otter has become an icon of the 
State's coastal environment and culture, and these charismatic animals 
bring significant tourism revenue to Californian coastal communities. 
Protecting them is not only directly advantageous to the otter 
population, but also fosters indirect benefits on a greater scale.
  Groups such as Defenders of Wildlife, Friends of the Sea Otter, The 
Otter Project, and The Ocean Conservancy have raised public awareness 
and helped protect this important species under the Marine Mammal 
Protection Act and the Endangered Species Act. Due to these efforts, 
the southern sea otter population has increased to more than 2,800 
animals.
  However, these numbers are still significantly less than what is 
necessary to consider the population stable and their population growth 
in recent years is slower than expected. Researchers are beginning to 
identify indirect hazards for sea otters such as non-point source 
pollution, pathogens, and entrapment in fisheries gear that are causing 
their population growth to slow. Such realizations support the need for 
continued research and preventive measures to respond to these issues, 
while continuing to ward against the direct killings/takings that still 
occur.
  California has taken the first step toward addressing these emerging 
concerns by signing into law California Assembly Bill 2485, which 
establishes a State fund for sea otter conservation. This year 
Californians had the option of donating a portion of their tax returns 
to sea otter conservation. To date, this has raised $145,000.
  However, this is a federally protected species and the State cannot 
go it alone. In addition to working with my colleagues to secure 
Federal funds to support a continued and complete recovery of the 
population, I am also introducing the Southern Sea Otter Recovery and 
Research Act today. This bill provides for research and recovery 
programs for the southern sea otter.
  Madam Speaker, I applaud the many accomplishments of Defenders of 
Wildlife and other non-profit environmental organizations, working with 
the Monterey Bay Aquarium, researchers, fishermen, State and Federal 
agencies, schools, and many other institutions and individuals, who 
devote tremendous effort to protect and recover the southern/California 
sea otter. Sea Otter Awareness Week is just one of their many 
activities geared towards honoring and saving this species, and I am 
proud to be associated with this vital work.

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