August 26, 2023 — There is a push by conservationists to reintroduce threatened sea otters to San Francisco Bay waters, but local crab fishermen are concerned the move could hurt their already struggling industry.
Federal wildlife officials say it’s possible, but haven’t made a decision whether to green light the move. Those efforts worry fishermen like Dick Ogg because of the sea mammals’ voracious appetite for crustaceans like Dungeness crab.
“I don’t feel like it’s our place to pick them up and relocate them. Yes, there could be impacts to the fishery,” said Ogg.
The fur trade era in the 19th century nearly wiped out the now-endangered species. Marine biologists are trying to determine what’s best for conservation, fisheries like the Dungeness crab industry and the marine environment.
“Sea otters tend to promote the resilience of kelp and sea grass. And those habitats provide habitat and food for hundreds upon hundreds of species,” explained U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biologist Lilian Carswell, who specializes in sea otters.