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Sea Otter Deaths From Shark Bites on the Rise

Written by KEYT Assignment Desk

Story Created: Sep 15, 2010 at 3:30 PM PDT

Story Updated: Sep 15, 2010 at 3:46 PM PDT

The Department of Fish and Game 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, 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 the Department of Fish and Game.

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.

The Central Coast has had ocean temperatures hovering around 60 degrees this summer.
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