The spring 2016 mainland sea otter count began on 1 May and was completed on 11 May. Overall viewing conditions this year were very good, being more favorable than those during the 2015 spring census (3.1 vs. 2.6, where 0=poor, 1=fair, 2=good, 3=very good, and 4=excellent) and contributed to the relatively short duration of the count. The surface canopies of kelp (Macrocystis sp.) were considered by most participants to be below normal for this time of year in the northern half of the range and about normal in the southern half. Sea otters along the mainland were surveyed (using a combination of ground-based and aerial-based surveys) from Pillar Point in San Mateo County in the north, to Rincon Point in the south at the Santa Barbara/Ventura County line (Figure 1). A separate ground-based survey of the sea otter population at San Nicolas Island was completed earlier (April 15-April 18). Surface kelp canopies at the time of survey at San Nicolas Island were estimated to be below normal near shore off the western end of the island and about normal elsewhere. Survey viewing conditions were very good (View Score = 3.0).
Citation Information
Publication Year | 2016 |
---|---|
Title | Annual California Sea Otter Census: 2016 Spring Census Summary |
DOI | 10.5066/F7FJ2DWJ |
Authors | M. Tim Tinker, Brian B. Hatfield |
Product Type | Data Release |
Record Source | USGS Digital Object Identifier Catalog |
USGS Organization | Western Ecological Research Center |
Related Content
California sea otter (Enhydra lutris nereis) census results, Spring 2016
Related Content
- Publications
California sea otter (Enhydra lutris nereis) census results, Spring 2016
The 2016 census of southern sea otters Enhydra lutris nereis was conducted in May along the mainland coast of central California and in April at San Nicolas Island in southern California. The 3-year average of combined counts from the mainland range and San Nicolas Island was 3,272. This is the first year that the official index has exceeded 3,090, the Endangered Species Act delisting threshold su - Connect