There’s arguably no ocean critter that’s as cute and charismatic as a sea otter. They use tools to crack open tough shells and crustaceans, hold hands while they sleep and can live their entire life out at sea.

Aside from these features, they’re also a keystone species in the ocean, and their absence has been felt in Oregon. They disappeared over a 100 years ago as a result of the fur trade — they have the thickest fur on the planet — and without them, purple sea urchins have mowed down our kelp forests.

Recent research suggests that over two-thirds of Oregon’s kelp forests, which store atmospheric carbon, reduce erosion and provide habitat for thousands of species, have disappeared within the past several decades, and bringing a stable population of sea otters back to Oregon could help the situation.

It’s great to see a couple of sea otters were spotted near Cannon Beach earlier this summer, but we’ll need many more of them to create a sustainable population that has a positive environmental impact.

Right now, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is considering whether or not to reintroduce sea otters to Oregon. This comes after a 2022 study they released found that reintroduction would likely benefit nearshore ecosystems like kelp forests.

To save our kelp forests, and the habitat and climate benefits they provide, the USFWS must move forward with the next steps to bring these charismatic marine mammals to our shores.

IAN GIANCARLO

Oceans advocate, Environment America (Oregon)

Portland