Lessons learned: Evaluating scientific sampling
of oil spill effects on sea otters.

An extensive and diverse array of studies were implemented concurrent with and for several years following the Exxon Valdez oil spill to determine the acute and chronic effects to sea otters. Additional studies were implemented 1996 to determine the status of sea otter populations relative to recovery and to determine what factors could be constraining recovery. The purpose of this paper is to 1) identify studies of sea otters that are required to effectively evaluate the acute, sub-acute and potential chronic effects of another spill of similar magnitude, 2) identify studies that will be useful in evaluating recovery from damages in the context of a restoration endpoint, and 3) provide a retrospective analysis of the utility of sea otter studies that were implemented after the 1989 spill.

A retrospective evaluation of Exxon Valdez oil spill Trustee Council sponsored sea otter studies [PDF - 101KB]

Nearshore Vertebrate Predator Project