Marine Wildlife

Wild Sea Otter Entanglement in Fishing Gear

Sea otters become entangled in crab pots, nets, and other fishing gear, causing injury, drowning, and oil exposure from damaged vessels.

Key Facts

Sea otters were nearly hunted to extinction for their fur
Southern sea otters in California number only about 3000
Fishing gear entanglement is a significant mortality source
Sea otters are keystone species maintaining kelp forest ecosystems

Welfare Considerations

Sea otters entangled in crab pots may drown or sustain severe injuries attempting to escape. Even otters that escape often carry wounds that impair their ability to hunt and thermoregulate. Because sea otters have extremely high metabolic rates and must eat 25 percent of their body weight daily, any injury rapidly becomes life-threatening.

What You Can Do

Support otter-safe fishing gear research and deployment
Advocate for raft entanglement reduction requirements in sea otter habitat
Donate to sea otter rescue and rehabilitation programs
Support policies protecting kelp forest habitat that otters depend on