The Endangered Species Act (ESA), one of the United States’ landmark conservation policies, was established in 1973 to help protect species on the brink of extinction. Marine mammal species and populations are listed as endangered or threatened under the ESA. It prefers to eat crustaceans and mollusks and occasionally fish and aquatic vegetation. Marine Otter or Sea cat (Lontra felina) Conservation status - Endangered Two other species have been recorded in Mexico - the American River Otter and the Sea Otter although the Sea Otter has recently become extinct in South America. and are the smallest marine mammal in North America. Main Characteristics Marine Otters are the smallest species of otter in the genus Lontra. Study Shows Endangered Marine Mammals Are At Risk Of Contracting COVID-19. It is sometimes called the sea cat. They spend a lot of time in the water, but they live on rocky land near the water. This species is listed as critically endangered due to a decline in population of 92% (!) Lontra felina (Marine Otter) is a species of mammals in the family Mustelidae. The MMPA protects all marine mammal species; many of which are listed as depleted. ... A sea otter resting in kelp in Monterey Bay, California. Sea otter. Individuals can grow to 676.55 mm. Some of these will be familiar and some won’t, but they’re all on the IUCN ‘Red List’ of Threatened Species. Vaquita xc. Marine otters are sometimes called "sea cats." Sea otter numbers have declined in southwestern Alaska over the past 20 years. RED LIST status: Endangered alias: huallaca, chingungo, sea cat predators: birds of prey, orcas, sharks threats: poaching, habitat loss, accidental trapping, persecution size: 87-115 cm (body 57-79 cm; tail 30-36 cm) weight: 3-6 kg The smallest of the new world species, the marine otter is also a very special otter – it is the only exclusively marine species apart from the sea … However, the sea otter population has been slow to recover. The most endangered marine mammals swimming in the world’s ocean 1. Unique Endangered Marine Species Posters designed and sold by artists. Although commercial whaling is no longer a threat to Blue Whales, their dwindling population now faces new threats like climate change and pollution, making the Blue Whale one of the oceans most endangered marine species. Once containing more than half of the world’s sea otters, this population segment, which ranges from Kodiak Island through the western Aleutian Islands, has undergone an overall population decline of at least 55–67 percent since the mid-1980s. The marine otter seems to prefer solitary living but has sometimes been seen in groups … The Marine Otter is confirmed as Endangered on the basis of inf erred future population decline due to habitat loss and exploitation. They are listed as endangered by IUCN and in cites appendix i. An adult sea otter is about 4 feet long and females can weigh up to 50 pounds, whereas males can weigh closer to 70 pounds. The U.S. Our work with marine otters • The Marine Otter is a poorly documented species of otter found only in South America along the Pacific coastline. 4. Sadly, hunting has eliminated this very special otter from most of Argentina and the Falkland Islands. Reproduction is dioecious. Following are top ten most endangered marine mammals that are nearing extinction. Sea Otter Savvy received our first funding in fall of 2015 and launched shortly thereafter. The marine otter lives off the coast of South America. The Southern Sea Otter & Southwest Stock of Northern Sea Otters in Alaska are both listed as “threatened” under the Endangered … The new and unprecedented language instead supersedes the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) and strips protections for sea otters that live south of Point Conception. Currently this species is classified as Endangered (EN) and its numbers today are decreasing. They rely on running to move around. Established in 1964, the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species has evolved to become the world’s most comprehensive information source on the global conservation status of animal, fungi and plant species. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) listed the southern sea otter population as threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) in 1977 and adopted a recovery plan for the population 1982, which was updated in 2003. The marine otter is protected under Argentine, Chilean, and Peruvian law. This is why it is more important to know about them. The marine otter (Lontra felina) is a type of otter.The marine otter only lives in saltwater, coastal environments.It rarely goes into freshwater or estuarine habitats.. References Photo from Wikimedia Commons. It is on CITES Appendix I - all trade in the animal or its parts is forbidden, Endangered as far as the United States Department of the Interior is concerned, and on 17th February 1998 was added to Article 1 of the Bonn Convention for the Conservation of Migrating Species of Wildlife. Sea Otter. Its face is wide and has whiskers. The tail comprises less than a third of the body length. Appearance: Sea otters are the smallest marine mammal in North America, but one of the largest members of the weasel family. 10 Most Endangered Marine Mammals 1. Threatened and endangered species are species that are at risk of extinction. MARINE OTTER. The sea otter is classified by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources as one of the endangered species within the marine ecosystem. Despite its endangered status, relatively little is still known about the marine otter’s population, … The marine otter (Lontra felina) is the most endangered marine mammal in the coast of South America.. Peru is home of this threatend species, found only off the coasts of Peru and Chile. Like the Southern river otter, its habitat is extremely fragmented and the areas in which this otter no longer occurs increase every year. The Sea Otter was hunted to near extinction in the 19th century. Females are slightly smaller, weighing 14-33 kg and measuring 1-1.4 m in length. All sea otters are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, and those in California and Southwest Alaska are listed as threatened under the federal Endangered Species Act. IUCN red list of threatened species provides a global status for all marine species, including marine mammals. Conflict with fishermen who view it as a competitor also take a heavy toll and this otter… The Vaquita is a small member of the porpoise family and resides in the waters off the coast of Baja California in Mexico. The International Fur Seal Treaty of 1911, the Marine Mammal Protection Act and the Endangered Species Act of 1977 helped stop the sea otter population from dwindling. Vaquita. In our 30th anniversary year, we highlighted 30 amazing marine species that live in, or visit the seas around, the UK. Today the species is protected under the Endangered Species Act & Marine Mammal Protection Act. They have a body length between 50 and 79 cms (20 - 31 inches), a tail length between 30 and 36 cms (12 - 14 inches) and they weigh between 3 and 5 kgs (6.6 - 11 lbs). Males weigh 22-45 kg and are 1.2-1.5 m in length. The marine otter has short legs and webbed feet. The marine otter is monogamous, mating for life. This is due to the fact that the conditions they live under could be compromised easily and that could lead to a significant reduction in their numbers in very little time. The gorgeous sea otter is one of the smallest marine mammals on earth, and they play a crucial role in our ecosystem, feeding on sea urchins which allows kelp forests to thrive. since 1997. Vaquita is a member of porpoise family (not to be confused with tortoise) belonging to whales category. In addition to … These mammals have a great impact on the marine ecosystem because they keep the population … They’re an incredible species, boasting an impressive string of skills. The Marine Mammal Center has worked extensively with species that are considered to be endangered or threatened, such as the southern sea otter, Hawaiian monk seal and Guadalupe fur seal. The Sea Otter is one of the smallest endangered … In the United States Otters are protected under the Endangered Species Act. According to the IUCN Red List, the total Marine otter population size is around 800 to 2,000 individuals. Massive marine die-off in Russia could threaten endangered sea otters, other vulnerable species Alec Luhn 10/16/2020 Historic US Covid vaccine campaign launches with convoy of trucks Sea otters, Enhydra lutris (Linnaeus, 1758), are the largest member of the Family Mustelidae (70 species of river otters, skunks, weasels, badgers, etc.) These species are protected in the United States under the Endangered Species Act. Marine otters live on the west coast of South America. It has a long body, a flat head and small ears. Endangered Species: The marine otter Image 1. 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