Monterey Bay Aquarium Urges Californians To Continue Paying Their Otter Tax

By Kasia Deuel

Monterey, CA - The recent rescue of an oiled sea otter in Monterey Bay sheds light on how California residents can continue to help save this threatened marine mammal while filing their 2008 income taxes. On February 22 an oiled sea otter was rescued from Sunset State beach in Monterey Bay. In large part, Californians are responsible for the innovative technologies being used in the otter’s continuing recovery.

Last year, animal aficionados in California donated nearly $295,000 to sea otter conservation through their state income tax form. The money raised by the fund supports research and recovery projects including those conducted at the Department of Fish and Game (DFG) marine mammal facility in Santa Cruz, where the oiled female otter is receiving care and attention, including initially being bathed in olive oil and then washed intensively for two hours. Olive, as she is affectionately known by her caregivers, has been implanted with a tracking device by the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s veterinarian, Dr. Mike Murray. Once weather conditions are conducive to a safe release, aquarium Sea Otter Research and Conservation biologists will release her back into the wild and continue to track her progress.

Sea otters are particularly vulnerable to oil because they depend on clean, dense fur to stay warm, and often end up ingesting toxic oil as they groom their fur. DFG officials believe Olive fell victim to oil from a natural seep in Monterey Bay that was churned up by recent winter storms. Other marine wildlife may be impacted, too.

The Monterey Bay Aquarium, in collaboration with the Department of Fish and Game and Defenders of Wildlife, hopes to raise awareness of the threats facing California’s southern sea otter population – including infectious disease, oil spills, limited food supplies and degradation of coastal waters where otters live – in order to understand why the wild population is rebounding so slowly. Sea otter census results over the past three years average 2,826 animals, below the 3,090 threshold at which they could come off the endangered species list.

“Through their generous contributions, Californians have shown just how committed they are to sea otter conservation,” said Jim Curland, marine program associate for Defenders of Wildlife. “During these hard economic times, it’s even more critical that this commitment continues in order to help sea otters recover in California.” 

Heading into the last month before the income tax deadline of April 15, Californians can continue to support efforts to save this keystone species simply by checking the CA Sea Otter Fund donation box on their state income tax form. This year taxpayers must earmark at least $262,500 in donations to keep the fund on the state income tax form in coming years. Californians who’ve already filed their income taxes but would like to donate funds can visit www.montereybayaquarium.org and click on the “Save the Oceans” link to support the Aquarium’s efforts to save sea otters. 

There’s no upper limit to the amount taxpayers can designate for sea otters, starting from a minimum contribution of $1. Even the smallest contributions can combine to make a big difference in helping Olive’s relatives.

"These donations make it possible for us to conduct research and provide habitat protection to ensure the survival of these important animals,” said DFG Administrator Stephen Edinger. “Without this funding, sea otters like Olive are at greater risk of succumbing to the many threats that face them in the open ocean.”

The mission of the Monterey Bay Aquarium is to inspire conservation of the oceans.

The Department of Fish and Game manages the state’s diverse fish, wildlife, and plant resources, and the habitats upon which they depend, for their ecological values and for their use and enjoyment by the public.

Defenders of Wildlife is dedicated to the protection of all native animals and plants in their natural communities. With more than 1 million members and activists, it’s a leading advocate for innovative solutions to safeguard our wildlife heritage for generations to come.