CSI: Sea Otter

What can you learn from a sea otter’s whisker? Oceans of information, according to a new research project. By testing just a few whiskers for their chemical makeup, scientists can learn about sea otter diets and the productivity of the waters they live in.

It’s all part of a multi-year study called “Coastal Ecosystem Responses to Influences from Land and Sea.” By exhaustively examining sea otters and other nearshore species, scientists from more than a dozen organizations hope to learn more about the coastal environment from urban California to the pristine waters of Alaska—and what can be done to ensure its future wellbeing.

“We’re looking at the health of the entire system,” says Dr. Mike Murray, veterinarian at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, one of the research partners. “And one species that’s critical to that is the sea otter. We’ve always said that sea otters are an indicator species, and now we’re using them in that role. They’re the canary in the coal mine.”

An Earbone with a Story to Tell

At times, the whole thing sounds more like NASA than nature study, more CSI than science at sea. Researchers are fanning out over thousands of miles to assess sea otter populations, analyze prey items, take blood samples, measure water temperature and generally gather a treasure trove of data.  “We’re using cutting-edge technology,” says Dr. Mike, “and this includes everything from gene expression to satellite imagery.” 

CSI: Sea Otter is just one example. Scientists are also looking at the earbones of two coastal fish species, black rockfish and kelp greenling, and reading them like the growth rings on a tree. “These little earbones, or otoliths, can be sectioned, measured, and even zapped by a laser to evaluate the productivity of waters that sea otters inhabit,” says Dr. Mike. 

And that’s not all. Ocean temperatures and chlorophyll concentrations are being analyzed using satellite imagery. Air temperature and wind velocity are provided by oceanographic stations. Sea otter blood samples are tested, revealing information on organic pollutants, metals, parasites, bacterial infection, injury and temperature stress to which they’ve been subjected.

All told, there are six different geographic study areas, from Big Sur to Alaska. In each, about 60 sea otters are being measured and sampled.  According to Dr. Mike, two populations are in decline—California and the Alaska Peninsula. Two are static—Prince William Sound, Alaska; and the Washington coast. And two are expanding—Southeast Alaska and Vancouver Island. Determining the reasons for the differences is one goal of the research.

"The nearshore ecosystem faces increasing challenges," says Jim Bodkin, research wildlife biologist with the Alaska Science Center. "These come from modifications to watersheds, such as urbanization and land use practices; and atmospheric and oceanic processes such as warming, acidification and rising sea level.

"We're using the eastern Pacific nearshore as a large-scale laboratory to understand these factors."

Ongoing Efforts

The research partners met for three days in late February at the Aquarium to discuss findings to date and plan future efforts. Data collection started in 2008, and the project tentatively continues until 2012, though the final year will mostly be spent analyzing data. “It’s an incredible amount of work, with a relatively small team,” says Dr. Mike, who recently spent weeks on a boat in Alaska, and plans to head out into the field in again May.

The final result will hopefully provide clues about what’s affecting sea otters, as well as important data on a host of other issues, from pollution to climate change. “This is the first time anyone has taken such an exhaustive view of the nearshore ecosystem,” says Dr. Mike. “That system is influenced from two directions: the oceans, where nutrition and weather comes from; and from land, where people are.

“It’s an area we believe is so important to the overall health of the oceans.”

Research partners include the U.S. Geological Survey; the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; the National Park Service;  the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement; the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustee Council; the North Pacific Research Board; Fisheries and Oceans Canada; University of Wyoming; Washington Deparment of Fish and Wildlife; California Department of Fish and Game; California Department of Fish and Game; Defenders of Wildlife; the Monterey Bay Aquarium; and the Seattle Aquarium.

All photos Ben Young Landis/USGS

Comments

[Louis]

I love marine life.

[SDC]

coastal ecosystem rock! i like the concept and there perfectness in serving. Very valuable post! thanks for sharing.

[RD]

They are adoreable. What would the ocean be without them. Let's hope they can survive!

[Barramundi fishing]

Great post! Sustainability and clean food need to be key qualifiers in our food selection. Those actually are two big reasons for the profitability of freshwater shrimp farming.

[Ken Peterson]

Thank you so much for writing. I'll be sure to forward your comments to the many folks you single out for praise in your message.

[lucile myers]

I had the most fortunate experience of being able to visit your aquarium fourteen years ago when my husband and i came to the USA for his work. It made and has continued to make an indelible impression on me. I adored the sea otters, jellyfish tank and stingrays, and today as an early childhood educator i am introducing the children to the delights of Monterey Bay Aquarium, its stingrays and sea otters and to the concept of conservation and the wonderful work you do in this area. Last week the children made their own version of your otter pen and giant fish tank which is displayed in the preschool. Please keep up the good and invaluable work that you do.I would like to join seanotes again like when i was at university but do not know how to access it now. perhaps this note will reach the right person and with my details allow me to be a member once again.
best Regards, l. myers (New south Wales, Australia)

[DJ]

I love sea otters. They're so darn cute. This research is simply amazing. Who would of thought a sea otter's whisker could tell you so much about our ecosystem.

DJ

[Jane]

What happened to the Santa Cruz Wharf area seals after the 3/11 tsunami? Saw none 3/13.

[Bikefilms]

Sea otters are the canary in the coal mine. And they're not doing well.