Photo courtesy of Orca Spirit naturalist Liam Hubbert
Sea otters are well-known and often adored creatures, recognized by their plump, fluffy face, golden fur, tiny paws, and charming smile. Their ability to float on their backs, often with a pup resting on their bellies or a rock to break open clams, is undeniably adorable.
Beyond their physical appearance, sea otters offer visitors to Victoria a unique chance to witness their remarkable comeback firsthand. As wildlife enthusiasts, our team at Orca Spirit is incredibly excited about this! Here’s why:
The Disappearance of a Keystone Species in Victoria
Many people who seek and admire the sea otters today do not understand how lucky they are to even catch a glimpse of these creatures, given that humans almost wiped them out completely.
Prized for their dense fur during the 1800s fur trade, sea otters were hunted to extinction on Vancouver Island by 1929. Their disappearance led to a population boom in sea urchins, a primary food source for otters. Unchecked, these urchins decimated kelp forests, which provide crucial habitat and store carbon dioxide. The removal of this single species, now known as a Keystone Species, had lasting effects on the marine environment, highlighting their vital role in the health of these important kelp forests.
Sea Otters Saved By Conservation … and the Cold War?
Fortunately for the sea otters and kelp, a small group in Alaska’s north was spared from the fur trade. Conservation efforts gained momentum in the late 1960s when scientists recognized sea otters as a keystone species. As a result, 89 individuals were relocated to the northwestern coast of Vancouver Island.
However, conservation wasn’t the only reason for this relocation. The decision to move the otters to the island was made during the Cold War, as the United States was using the Aleutian Islands as nuclear testing sites. In a collaborative effort, the Atomic Energy Commission and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services agreed to capture and move the otters to safety.
In a twist of fate, a project tied to Cold War nuclear testing helped launch one of North America’s greatest conservation success stories.
Between the 1970s and 2000s, areas repopulated by otters saw a remarkable resurgence. Researchers noted a tenfold increase in kelp canopy cover compared to periods without otters. This flourishing kelp habitat, in turn, supported the rebound of other species, including rockfish, greenlings, and sea stars.
Where to See Sea Otters in Victoria
Though the sea otters were relocated on the northern end of Vancouver Island, southern Vancouver Island has remained fairly quiet.
So I guess visitors to Victoria aren’t able to witness these floating little balls of fur, or these dense kelp forests when they join us on tour, right?
Wrong! When travelling to Victoria to view marine wildlife, our visitors often only encounter one otter. You read that correctly – ONE otter!
And that one otter has become somewhat of a local celebrity amongst Victoria’s whale watching community. His name is Ollie, and he is easily distinguishable by the pink scar on his nose… and the fact that he is the only otter that hangs around these waters.
Until recently.
Over the past few seasons, both whale watchers and locals have reported seeing sea otters other than Ollie in the Victoria area. We observed multiple sightings this past season, with some sea otters even lingering in areas such as Sooke and Pedder Bay. Check out the photo below of a mystery sea otter catching some waves with a surfer in Sooke!
This is incredible news, offering visitors to Victoria a truly unique opportunity!
While Victoria’s sea otter population isn’t yet at the point of forming large rafts, as seen in Alaska or Tofino, the opportunity to observe this conservation success firsthand is special. These otters might just be scouting the area before returning to their home colonies, but the thriving kelp beds around Race Rocks and Victoria’s shoreline, visible from our boats, clearly demonstrate that their presence is both welcome and greatly appreciated. Witnessing the gradual return of a species once hunted to extinction in this region is truly incredible.
It’s also neat to think about the fact that Vancouver Island’s sea otters are survivors of nuclear testing!
Wondering where to see sea otters in Victoria? Come witness the conservation success story by joining us on tour!
References:
Estes, J. A., & Palmisano, J. F. (1974). Sea otters: Their role in structuring nearshore communities. Science, 185(4156), 1058–1060. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.185.4156.1058
Bigg, M. A., & MacAskie, I. B. (1978). The status of the sea otter, Enhydra lutris, in Canada. The Canadian Field-Naturalist, 92(3), 233–239.
Watson, J., & Estes, J. A. (2011). Stability, resilience, and phase shifts in nearshore ecosystems: Lessons from the sea otter–urchin–kelp system. Ecology, 92(4), 838–849. https://doi.org/10.1890/10-1819.1
Salomon, A. K., Tanape Sr., N. M., & Huntington, H. P. (2015). Indigenous knowledge links sea otters to kelp forest health on the Pacific coast of North America. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 112(14), 4314–4319. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1419793112