The monterey BAY AQUARIUM (AQUARIUM) proposes to provide the U.S. Fish and wildlife SERVICE (SERVICE) with a revised recovery plan including a recovery implementation strategy (RIS) for the southern…

The Monterey Bay Aquarium (Aquarium) was awarded a $397,569 Cooperative Agreement by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) under the Endangered Species Recovery Implementation program (CFDA 15.657). The project aims to revise the recovery plan and implementation strategy for the southern sea otter, a species listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.

The Aquarium, a leading authority on southern sea otter research and rehabilitation, will work with FWS to complete a draft updated recovery plan and recovery implementation strategy within the first year of the 2-year grant period. This will entail synthesizing recent scientific studies, updating recovery criteria and strategies, and applying an integrated population model to inform the plan. The project will culminate in a final revised recovery plan and strategy ready for publication, providing stakeholders with a comprehensive roadmap to achieve long-term recovery of the southern sea otter.

The monterey BAY AQUARIUM (AQUARIUM) proposes to provide the U.S. Fish and wildlife SERVICE (SERVICE) with a revised recovery plan including a recovery implementation strategy (RIS) for the southern sea otter (enhydra lutris nereis). The current recovery plan is twenty years old. Since publication of the plan in 2003 scientific studies and ongoing monitoring have demonstrated new and intensified threats to species recovery and changed our understanding of what is needed for recovery. The proposed recovery plan update is an eligible project type for the recovery challenge program because the lead field office for the southern sea otter (ventura fish and wildlife office) has concluded that the existing recovery criteria are invalid and that a revised recovery plan is a high priority. Without an update the development of an effective and coordinated recovery strategy for the southern sea otter will be significantly hindered. The southern sea otter continues to be listed as threatened under the U.S. Endangered species act. The AQUARIUM leads the southern sea otter live stranding response and rehabilitation and release network in california and has been a key collaborator in southern sea otter research and population monitoring with state and federal agencies. As such the AQUARIUM is well positioned to work with the SERVICE to expedite the revision of the recovery plan and RIS.a draft recovery plan and RIS will be completed within the first year of the grant period with the final versions of these documents ready for publication by the end of the second year. The project team will update the recovery plan recommended strategies and delisting criteria and threats to be mitigated and recovery actions. The most recent research on southern sea otter population genetics and health hazards and range expansion will inform the updates. These will include (1) site specific management actions (2) objective measurable downlisting and delisting criteria and (3) time and cost estimates to achieve delisting. In order to simulate the results of potential site specific management actions and to inform the development of recovery criteria the AQUARIUM will apply an integrated population model (IPM) framework that incorporates all available data on southern sea otter trends and vital rates and dispersal rates and mortality risk factors.project activities will include synthesizing recent research and working with project consultant nhydra ecological consulting on the IPM and recovery scenarios. Drafting the updated recovery plan and RIS are a large part of the project. Additionally the project includes two full day review sessions with subject matter experts on southern sea otter genetics and ecology as well as threats and other factors affecting their status. Their input and expert feedback will become part of the updated plan and RIS. Upon completion of a draft recovery plan and RIS there will be a public comment period. Information received during the public comment period will inform the final version of the recovery plan. Once published the updated recovery plan and RIS will provide all stakeholders with an overall strategy and criteria plus the timeline and cost to achieve southern sea otter recovery. The plan will include an adaptable implementation strategy that includes specific recovery activities. This shared roadmap will help orient activities toward achieving the long term recovery of the species.