Save the marine otters

Conservation status of the marine otter Lontra felina

At the international level, the marine otter is classified as “vulnerable” by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). It is listed as an endangered species on Annex I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). In Peru, the marine otter is also declared endangered and therefore protected by law. Nevertheless, there is only one area, the Paracas National Reserve, where marine otters at least officially are protected. However, it appears that the otter population within the reserve is in greater danger than in other areas, caused by the constant illegal use of dynamite for fishing.

There are reports confirming the presence of marine otters along the entire distribution area of the Peruvian coast. But apart from this, we have very little information about the species.

During a survey of the coast of the Department of Lima, undertaken by Mundo Azul field researcher Jean Paul Perret, otters were observed in eight of the nine study areas. Nevertheless, the marine otter suffers major threats to its survival.

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Page author: Stefan Austermühle

Reviewed by: Sean Minns

Last updated: 2010.06.18.

Threats:

The main threats to the marine otter’s survival are losses as “bycatch” and human presence near the dens. There are a high number of local fishermen on the coast in the Department of Lima that climb down the cliffs with ropes in order to get to the best fishing spots. Therefore, humans have access to the biggest part of the rocky shoreline and for the otters; there are very few safe places left that are really inaccessible for humans.

Another common problem is the presence of fishing boats using fishing nets near the rocky shore. Otters run the danger of getting caught in these invisible nets and drowning. Even though there is no information available on how many animals die this way, however, interviews with fishermen indicate that the majority of them have observed this more than once.

In Chile a similar problem exists with crab pots. The otters are attracted by the traps, enter to get to the crabs and then drown because they cannot leave the trap.

In Paracas and other parts of the Peruvian coast the constant illegal use of dynamite for fishing may pose a serious threat for the local otter population. Information from Mexico suggests, that river otter populations (Lontra longicaudis) have disappeared in areas where dynamite fishing is common.

In some areas, otters have managed to live very close to dense human populations, for example in Pucusana habrour and in the beach clubs, Lapa Lapa and San Bartolo in the south of Lima.

Nevertheless, these cases are exceptions to the general rule that otters disappear from areas where too many humans are present. Therefore the continuous construction of beach clubs without proper planning, mostly in the south of Lima may pose another serious threat to the survival of the marine otter. Additionally, the contaminated effluent from rivers as well as urban sewage pipes or fishmeal factories are another threat to the otter’s survival.

The marine otter is a small animal with solitary habits. This helps them to go largely unnoticed most of the time. Very few people have ever seen a marine otter, even if they live in very busy areas such as Pucusana and Santa Maria. If you have the chance to observe a marine otter, be as silent and motionless as possible in order not to scare him away.

25 percent of the coastline of the Department of Lima is potential otter habitat, being the rocky cliffs along the coast. This area is distributed in 35 units with an average length of 4 km, being separated by sandy beaches with an average length of 5 km.

Save the marine otters:

In order to hold the decline of marine otter numbers we suggest:

A prohibition of angling and the use of small scale driftnets close to rocky shorelines in order to reduce mortality as “bycatch”.
Moreover, there must be decisive action against illegal dynamite fishing.

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Page author: Stefan Austermühle

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