News Blog
Take It Slow on the Slough
March 31, 2011
The Monterey Bay Aquarium, Defenders of Wildlife, Friends of the Sea Otter and other local authorities are calling for a slowing of boats as they look to get out on the bay from the Moss Landing area, especially Elkhorn Slough, during opening weekend for first regular salmon season in two years.
Many wildlife officials are concerned with the safety of a large population of threatened California sea otters that forage and float in and around Moss Landing as an influx of boaters raises the risk of otter strikes.
An estimated dozen otters have been killed in the north bay by boat strikes over the last few years, harming an already fragile population according to Andrew Johnson, manager of the sea otter program at the aquarium.
Elkhorn Slough is designated a no-wake zone and has a speed limit of approximately 4 knots (5 mph). Linda G. McIntyre, harbormaster for the Moss Landing Harbor District will be out on patrol with members of her staff to see that boats are abiding by the posted speed limit and watching over the resident otters.
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