Sea otters are a keystone species whose presence dramatically shapes coastal kelp forest ecosystems — their welfare and conservation is therefore linked to the welfare of thousands of other species.
Sea otter welfare is both an individual and an ecosystem concern. Individual otters are highly capable of suffering — drowning in fishing gear, oil contamination, and injuries from boat strikes cause real harm to real animals. But the welfare dimension extends further: as a keystone species, sea otter population health determines the structure of entire coastal ecosystems, affecting the welfare of thousands of species that depend on kelp forest habitat. Protecting sea otters means protecting a cascade of ecological relationships that support marine biodiversity and the welfare of non-charismatic species that never make conservation headlines.