Otter ! it is what is on the menue for the land lord !

From: Marine Management News <[email protected]>
Subject: CDFG News Release - Sea Otter Deaths From Shark Bites on the Rise
To:
Date: Thursday, September 16, 2010, 10:11 AM


California Department of Fish and Game News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - September 15, 2010

Contacts:
Carol Singleton, Dept. of Fish and Game, (916)327-9948
Mike Harris, Dept. of Fish and Game, (805) 772-1135

Sea Otter Deaths From Shark Bites on the Rise

The Department of Fish and Game (DFG) reported collecting a record
number of shark-bitten sea otters in August along California's central
coast.

Scientists collected 19 injured or dead otters with signs of shark
bites in August and seven already in September. The majority of the
otters were collected in the Morro Bay-Pismo Beach area. The 10-year
average for August is seven otters, and for September is six.

Scientists believe this increase in shark-bitten otters in California
may be due to cooler than average ocean temperatures from an unusually
mild summer, creating an ideal condition for white sharks.

"White sharks do not typically feed on sea otters," explained Michael
Harris, environmental scientist with DFG's Office of Spill Prevention
and Response. Harris has been working with sea otters for 19 years.
"Their preferred prey is seals and sea lions. This would explain why the
majority of the otters collected have a single bite mark. These bites
are more investigative - like a taste test."

White sharks occur around the world, mostly in cold, temperate seas
with a surface temperature of 50 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit. As top-level
predators, sharks serve the marine environment by helping keep seal and
sea lion populations in check. As white sharks grow, they transition
from feeding on fish as juveniles to feeding on marine mammals with high
blubber content like seals and sea lions.

"Without much data on the white shark population off California, we can
only speculate as to the cause for the increase in the otter bites,"
said Harris. "But perhaps there are more juvenile sharks in the area,
testing various prey items as they transition."

Sightings of white sharks by humans may have also increased this year
based on anecdotal information provided on a number of websites.

No population estimates exist for white sharks. Some DNA studies,
efforts to tag sharks and attempts to identify individual sharks by
unique characteristics have occurred, but the research remains limited.

While white sharks typically do not prey upon humans, water enthusiasts
are encouraged to remain aware of their presence in the marine
environment. According to DFG's latest available numbers, California has
had 95 white shark attacks since 1950 with only 11 fatalities. Even with
population growth and increased human activity in marine waters, the
number of incidents involving white sharks has not increased in
parallel.

California swimmers, divers, surfers and others can reduce the
likelihood of a shark encounter by avoiding places known for white
sharks, such the Farallon Islands, Año Nuevo and Bird Rock near Point
Reyes. Further, avoid areas where sea lions, harbor seals and elephant
seals congregate, including their rookeries. Times of reduced sunlight
such as foggy mornings or dusk are also high risk times as the human
silhouette is more likely to be mistaken for a seal resulting in a bite.


Though not protected as a threatened or endangered species, California
regulations prohibit the take of white sharks under a sportfishing
license and the commercial fisheries are prohibited from targeting the
species.

For more on white sharks, please visit
www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/pdfs/sharkfacts.pdf.

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