The Elakha Alliance
$21,500

Funds are requested for a portion of an economic impact assessment and the outreach and public engagement strategy for a thoughtful reintroduction of sea otters to Oregon. The Elakha Alliance is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to investigating, planning, and implementing the translocation of sea otters (Enhydra lutris) to the Oregon Coast.

Around the globe and in Oregon, a growing body of evidence suggests climate change and its ecological consequences are threatening the persistence of kelp. While the long-term declines in kelp followed the historical loss of sea otters, the recent collapse of the urchin predator, the sunflower sea star (Pycnopodia helianthoides), has resulted in an accelerated loss of kelp, and an expansion of “urchin barrens” in Oregon. Since time immemorial, sea otters were a key cultural, and material resource for the indigenous tribes of Oregon’s coastal region. Furthermore, decades of research demonstrate conclusively that sea otters maintain and increase kelp habitat, due to their persistent predation of kelp herbivores such as sea urchins.

However, some key stakeholders have expressed concerns about the local effects of sea otter restoration on shellfish harvest. Rigorously evaluating and thoughtfully addressing these concerns is a critical step in advancing sea otter and kelp restoration in Oregon. 75% of the OCRF funds will be spent on the Economic Impact Assessment to bolster our Feasibility Study. 25% of the OCRF funds will be spent on our outreach and public engagement strategy focused on coastal tribal communities and fisheries stakeholders.

The Committee recommends funding this project for $10,000.

Project Report