Did you know sea otters can eat a quarter of their body weight in food every day?
That’s hundreds of sea urchins, clams, and crabs — all cracked open with a rock balanced on their bellies. It’s one of the reasons these little dynamos were once so important to the Sonoma Coast. And it’s why folks are gathering at Doran Beach on Saturday, Sept. 6, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for a Sea Otter Awareness Event that’s equal parts beach day, science fair, and community storytelling.
A missing neighbor
Sea otters used to be a daily part of life here. Tribal elders still tell stories about them. Divers remember when abalone beds were thick and kelp forests waved just offshore. But by the early 1900s, the fur trade had erased otters from these waters. Today, you’ll find them around Monterey and Morro Bay, but not in Bodega Bay. Their absence is still felt. Without otters, purple urchins multiply, kelp forests shrink, and the ripple effects reach everything from abalone to fish.
What’s happening on the beach
The day’s hub will be at the north jetty, right in front of the giant “We Were Here” mural — a reminder that otters really were here, and maybe could be again.
- Sandcastle contest (11 a.m. to noon): Families and kids will sculpt their best sea otter in the sand. Supervisor Lynda Hopkins will walk the beach and pick a winner. Buckets and shovels encouraged.
- Science tables: UC Davis’ Bodega Marine Lab and The Marine Mammal Center are bringing touch-and-see exhibits — skull replicas, kelp samples, and stories from scientists who study this coast every day.
- Tribal voices: Members of the Kashia Band of Pomo Indians will share their relationship with sea otters, past and present. For the Kashia, bringing otters home isn’t just about ecology; it’s about culture, history, and healing.
- Otter savvy tips: The nonprofit Sea Otter Savvy will hand out simple ways to help, from giving wildlife space to keeping plastic out of the ocean. They’ll also ask what locals think about possible reintroduction efforts.
Kids can get their hands on kelp and shells, parents can talk to biologists, and everyone can enjoy a picnic on the sand.
Why it matters now
Scientists call sea otters a “keystone species” — take them out, and the whole structure wobbles. Bring them back, and kelp, abalone, fish, and even sea grass meadows stand a chance to rebound. New research shows otters even help keep invasive species like green crabs in check…