The Otter Project’s Top 2024 Priorities
We are proud of what we accomplished in 2023, and are now looking toward a new year. In 2024, we will continue our advocacy for strong coastal and watershed protections that safeguard the health and habitat of California’s southern sea otter. Check out our top priorities for the upcoming year:
Prevent ocean acidification dead zones and toxic algal blooms in sea otter habitat. Despite the overwhelming science demonstrating that nutrients discharged from wastewater facilities, farms, and dairies cause ocean dead zones and toxic algal blooms, the state continues to drag its feet to set the necessary nutrient water quality standards to stop polluters from creating these deadly environments.
Require the Central Coast Regional Water Board to curb agricultural pollution that degrades coastal ecosystems. Water discharges from farms on California’s Central Coast pose significant threats to water quality by transporting pesticides and excessive fertilizers to the ocean, causing toxic algal blooms that threaten sea otter health.
Protect the water quality of sea otter’s ocean habitats. Fifty years ago, the state set water quality protections to prohibit polluted runoff into the most pristine ocean areas off the California coast. Many of these protections overlap with critical habitat for the sea otter. However, in 2012, the state allowed an exemption to permit stormwater runoff into these areas if certain conditions were met. Now, twelve years after the exemptions were granted, we are witnessing widespread pollution with no accountability. California must do a better job protecting the sea otter’s ocean home from pollution.
Adopt new water quality protections for the Point Sur Marine Protected Area to protect sea otters along the Central Coast. The Otter Project is advocating that the Water Boards nominate and adopt the Point Sur MPA as the first with water quality protections in 50 years. Point Sur is a critical habitat for the sea otter and new water quality protections will prevent polluted runoff from Highway One and nearby farming operations.
Ensure the proposed Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary Designation is protective of sea otters. The Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary provides an exceptional opportunity to protect additional sea otter habitat and advance the first Tribal-nominated national marine sanctuary designation in the U.S. The nominated approximately 7,670 square-mile sanctuary, adjacent to San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties and the boundaries of Monterey Bay and Channel Islands national marine sanctuaries, aims to recognize and preserve Chumash tribal history and protect the area’s rich biodiversity, including the endangered sea otter.