Feasibility Study

The Elakha Alliance is pleased to present this scientific Feasibility Study regarding sea otter reintroduction in Oregon, published January 2022. A team of six leading scientists (led by Dr. Tim Tinker; see list below) evaluated key dimensions of a proposed sea otter reintroduction, including source population dynamics, habitat suitability, ecological considerations, social and economic impacts, legal requirements, logistics, and more.
Update:

On July 27, 2022, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) published a Sea Otter Feasibility Assessment on the reintroduction of sea otters to Northern California and Oregon. The USFWS staff utilized the scientific findings from the Elakha Alliance’s Feasibility Study in the majority of their Assessment.

Explore by Chapter

Click on the icons below to review summaries of each Chapter.

From those summary pages, you can download and review the full Chapters as well.

Frequently Asked Questions
Chapter 1

Introduction

Chapter 2

History of Prior Sea Otter Translocations

Chapter 3

Populations and Demographic

Chapter 4

Genetics & History of OR Sea Otters

Chapter 5

Ecosystem Effects of Sea Otters

Chapter 6

Habitat Suitability

Chapter 7

Socioeconomic Considerations

Chapter 8

Legal Considerations

Chapter 9

Implementation & Logistics

Chapter 10

Animal Health & Welfare

Chapter 11

Stakeholder Concerns & Perspectives

Chapter 12

Overall Conclusions

Appendix

Appendixes

Authors:

Dr. Tim Tinker, principal author; Research Wildlife Biologist, U.S. Geological Survey (retired); Adjunct Professor, UC Santa Cruz, Nhydra Ecological Research

Dr. James Estes, contributing author; Ecologist, U.S. Geological Survey (retired); Distinguished Professor Emeritus, UC Santa Cruz

Dr. James Bodkin, contributing author; Research Wildlife Biologist (retired), U.S. Geological Survey Alaska Science Center

Dr. Shawn Larson, contributing author; Curator of Conservation Research, Seattle Aquarium

Dr. Mike Murray, contributing author; Jane Dunaway Director of Veterinary Services, Monterey Bay Aquarium

Dr. Jan Hodder, contributing author; Emeritus Professor, University of Oregon, Institute of Marine Biology