An Introduction to the

Elkhorn Slough

Sea Otter Project

Sarah Espinosa

UCSC Graduate Student

Elkhorn Slough Symposium

January 24, 2017

Tim Tinker, Kerstin Wasson

Michelle Staedler, Jess Fujii, Teri Nicholson, Joe Tomoleoni, Ron Eby and Robert Scoles

Thanks!

ESNERR

Ron Eby, Robert Scoles, Dave Feliz, Kerstin Wasson

Monterey Bay Aquarium

Michelle Staedler, Jess Fujii, Teri Nicholson and all of the interns and volunteers!

USGS/UCSC

Joe Tomoleoni, Gena Bentall, Sophia Lyon, Tim Tinker, UCSC Tinker-Estes Lab

• Habitat Use (Tim Tinker)

• Population status (Michelle Staedler)

• Contaminate analysis (Chayo Fuentes)

• Ecosystem effects (Brent Hughes)

Purpose

Introduction Methods Preliminary Results Summary

Introduction Methods Preliminary Results Summary

Female and Pup Survival

Introduction Methods Preliminary Results: Surveys Summary

Elkhorn Slough Sea Otter Population

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1984 1989 1994 1999 2004 2009 2014

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Population Trends, Elkhorn Slough

Independents

Pups

Start of Project

Introduction Methods Preliminary Results: Surveys Summary

Elkhorn Slough AbundanceAverages: 99 Individuals, 7 large pups and 5 small pups = 111 total

Introduction Methods Preliminary Results: Surveys Summary

Pup Abundance

Introduction Methods Preliminary Results: Surveys Summary

Year 1: Density Distributions

Introduction Methods Preliminary Results: Surveys Summary

Year 2: Density Distributions

Introduction Methods Preliminary Results: Surveys Summary

Year 3: Density Distributions

Sea Otter Number3-146

3-1833-4343-5203-5686-486386

Introduction Methods Preliminary Results: Re-sights Summary

Male Re-sights

Female Re-sights

Introduction Methods Preliminary Results: Re-sights Summary

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Clam Crab Mussel Worms

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iet

Macoma Clam

Littleneck Clam

Softshell Clam

Razor Clam

Jackknife Clam

Rough Piddock

Gaper Clam

Washington Clam

Dungeness Crab

Green Crab

Kelp Crab

Rock Crab

Cancer Crab

Shore Crab

California Mussel

Mussel

Fatinnkeeper Worm

Crabs (50% ID to species)

Mussels (80% ID to species)

Worms (90% ID to species)

Clams (60% ID to species)Diet Composition

Introduction Methods Preliminary Results Summary

Introduction Methods Preliminary Results Summary

Elkhorn Slough Abundance

Averages: 99 Individuals, 7 large pups and 5 small = 111 total