Sea otter oil spill avoidance study
To determine whether acoustic, visual, or olfactory stimuli could be used to move sea otters out of an area in the event of an oil spill, the authors recorded the responses of sea otters to a variety of stimuli during captive studies in Alaska. These findings are similar to those of previous attempts to control the movements of sea otters and other marine mammals and birds. An alternative to herding is to capture otters in the vicinity of the spill and temporarily hold them in captivity. This approach is only practical if the number of otters in jeopardy is small (less than 60) and there is enough time to capture them. Based on the results of the study and previous attempts by the California Department of Fish and Game to herd sea otters, the authors do not think acoustic, visual, and olfactory stimuli are effective deterrents. In the absence of effective methods to keep sea otters out of an oil spill, the emphasis must remain on spill prevention, containment, and cleanup.
- Research Organization:
- Hubbs Marine Research Inst., San Diego, CA (USA)
- OSTI ID:
- 5860299
- Report Number(s):
- PB-89-191381/XAB
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: See also PB--89-158851
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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