Monitoring of Sea Otters (Enhydra lutris) to Inform Future Population Management Actions on the Coast of Vancouver Island

Abstract

Sea otter populations on the coast of Vancouver Island in British Columbia (BC) have been greatly impacted by human actions spanning centuries. Historical records suggest that sea otters were abundant in the region prior to the Maritime Fur Trade that drove sea otter populations to near extinction. Protection measures over the last 60 years have facilitated sea otter population increase in BC and allowed some populations to re-occupy areas of their historical range. However, increased sea otter presence in the region can create tensions between various stakeholder and rightsholder groups over access to valuable marine resources. Previous research conducted in other regions of BC demonstrates that sea otters may continue to expand their range to include the Port Renfrew area. This research project focused on the status of sea otter range expansion in this region, encompassing the western and central Juan de Fuca Strait and explored insights into appropriate management tools if sea otter densities increase in this area. Consideration was given to measures that can be brought into place to ensure continued expansion of sea otters while minimizing the potentially negative impacts to the socio-economic activities in the region. Information and insights obtained through sea otter monitoring, semi-structured interviews, an online survey interview questionnaire and a literature review on sea otter expansion can be used to inform an environmentally, economically, and socially sound plan to facilitate increased distribution of sea otters with minimal conflict.

Keywords: sea otter population management; coastal resource management; Vancouver Island; stakeholder perspectives; coastal communities.