3 ms·

I spent a lot of time kayaking around Monterey in 2016. A couple of observations. We were constantly reminded to maintain distance from endangered Sea Otters.

I spent a lot of time kayaking around Monterey in 2016. A couple of observations. We were constantly reminded to maintain distance from endangered Sea Otters. The Sea Otters were pretty cool, but it quickly became annoying at trying to avoid and maintain distance from them as they seemed to be as common as cockroaches. And the kelp. Trying to avoid the aforementioned Sea Otters required kayaking thru massive kelp beds, which was like kayaking thru spaghetti. This was along Cannery Row and the local Marine Reserve. I certainly hope it’s as frustratingly awesome full of sea otters and kelp like it was 5 years ago. Super cool, and long may it continue. I only wish I could have dived it.

TaylorAlexander 6y ago
I visited Monterey in 2014 and what really struck me were the skinny, dying, and dead seals on the rocks of the boat harbor. Perhaps it was always that way but it really seemed like the dying gasps of an ecosystem wiped out by human activity. I had to actually stop and cry for a while at the horror of it all. Then I went to the museum at the mission and saw how little space and time they gave to the native people who once lived there. A few quick mentions at the beginning. Loads of stories about Spanish and American conquerors, and then a sad diorama showing their beautiful hand made garments right by the exit when the kids are tired and everyone wants to get to the next place. It was a very sad day.
nradov 6y ago
I saw a bunch of sea otters in that area today. The population seems to be fairly healthy, although it's difficult for researchers to get a precise count. Kelp forests have been reduced. https://www.usgs.gov/centers/werc/science/california-sea-otter-surveys-and-research?qt-science_center_objects=4#qt-science_center_objects https://www.usgs.gov/centers/werc/science/california-sea-ott...
CobrastanJorji 6y ago
If I learned one thing from Octonauts videos, it's that sea otters eat purple sea urchins. So while sea urchins are terrible for kelp forests, they're great for large sea otter populations.

TaylorAlexander 6y ago

I visited Monterey in 2014 and what really struck me were the skinny, dying, and dead seals on the rocks of the boat harbor. Perhaps it was always that way but it really seemed like the dying gasps of an ecosystem wiped out by human activity. I had to actually stop and cry for a while at the horror of it all. Then I went to the museum at the mission and saw how little space and time they gave to the native people who once lived there. A few quick mentions at the beginning. Loads of stories about Spanish and American conquerors, and then a sad diorama showing their beautiful hand made garments right by the exit when the kids are tired and everyone wants to get to the next place. It was a very sad day.

nradov 6y ago

I saw a bunch of sea otters in that area today. The population seems to be fairly healthy, although it's difficult for researchers to get a precise count. Kelp forests have been reduced. https://www.usgs.gov/centers/werc/science/california-sea-otter-surveys-and-research?qt-science_center_objects=4#qt-science_center_objects https://www.usgs.gov/centers/werc/science/california-sea-ott...

CobrastanJorji 6y ago

If I learned one thing from Octonauts videos, it's that sea otters eat purple sea urchins. So while sea urchins are terrible for kelp forests, they're great for large sea otter populations.