A STUDY CONDUCTED IN THE ELKHORN SLOUGH BY U-C-S-C RESEARCHERS INDICATES THAT SEA OTTERS MAY BE HELPING TO PROTECT THE SLOUGH’S UNDERWATER ECOSYSTEM. BECAUSE SEA OTTERS KEEP THE CRAB POPULATION LOW, SEA GRASS THRIVES AND INHABITANTS LIKE SEA SLUGS, YOUNG SALMON, COD, AND HERRING ARE ABLE TO FLOURISH. IN ADDITION, UNDERWATER SEA GRASS IS ESSENTIAL TO PROTECTING THE SHORE FROM AGRICULTURAL RUN-OFF AND EROSION CAUSED BY BIG WAVES. WHILE THE SEA OTTER POPULATION HAS INCREASED IN ELKHORN SLOUGH, THEY ARE STILL LISTED AS “THREATENED” UNDER THE FEDERAL ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT DUE TO DISEASE AND SHARK ATTACK.
