Why are sea otters important?
Sea otters are an iconic species, representing the beauty and diversity of life in Monterey Bay. They’re also a keystone species, helping keep ocean ecosystems in balance. They eat sea urchins and other invertebrates that graze on giant kelp. Without sea otters, these grazing animals can destroy kelp forests and the animals that live there. Sea otters are also good indicators of ocean health. Since they are the top predator of invertebrates along the Central California coast, changes in their health can make scientists aware of variations in the ocean environment itself.
