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Sea Otters

 

 

Sea otters are the largest member of the weasel family and the smallest marine mammal. Within the United States, sea otters occur in Alaska, Washington, and California. Sea otters are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, which prohibits commercial harvest of sea otters.

Historically, sea otter populations made a dramatic comeback after near extinction due to overhunting.

To learn more about sea otters in Washington State, please click on one of the links below:

• Is it a sea otter? (pdf)
• Fact sheet (pdf)
• Population history in Washington State
• Permits
• Process for obtaining sea otter specimens for scientific or educational purposes
• What to do if you see a sea otter on the beach
• Stock assessment report (pdf)