Gulf of Alaska | Mammals MASTER’S POSTER PRESENTATION Sea otter interactions with mariculture Presenter: Emily Reynolds , ereynolds4@alaska.edu, University of Alaska Fairbanks Brenda Konar , bhkonar@alaska.edu, University of Alaska Fairbanks
Sea otters are considered keystone species and are very abundant in Kachemak Bay, an area with the highest density of oyster farms in the state of Alaska. Oyster farms and sea otters have co-existed in this area, but interest in expanding mariculture has warranted determining the extent of these interactions. The goal of this project is to assess sea otter interactions with oyster farms through behavioral observations (activity and foraging) in oyster farms and non-farm areas. Behavioral observations through scan surveys that recorded sea otter activity (resting, grooming, swimming, etc.) revealed that sea otters spend an equal amount of time resting in the farms and non-farm areas (46%). In contrast, sea otters were observed foraging more in non-farms (26%) than the farms (17%). Within the farms, targeted foraging observations show a greater diversity of consumed prey, feeding primarily on mussels, clams, and crabs in farms compared to cockles and mussels in non-farms. Our preliminary results provide insight into the relationship sea otters have with oyster farms, allowing better support for the planning and management of mariculture in areas with high sea otter abundance.
Alaska Marine Science Symposium 2023 239
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