Are Sea Otters the Ghosts of Estuaries Past?

Recorded on September 25, 2020

Join Sonoma State Assistant Professor Brent Hughes for a talk in celebration of Sea Otter Awareness Week. Like many top predators across the globe, sea otters suffered from overhunting during periods of rapid European colonialism in the 18th and 19th centuries. However, with legislation aimed at protecting endangered species and marine mammals, sea otters are slowly recovering. Through this recovery, sea otters are revealing the breadth of habitats that can utilize, such as estuarine seagrass beds and salt marshes. These recent discoveries have fundamentally changed our understanding of sea otter biology and ecology and presents new opportunities to promote their recovery. Presented in collaboration with Sea Otter Savvy.