Results of the 2008 Survey of the Reintroduced Sea Otter Population in Washington State

The 2008 Washington sea otter survey was conducted from 7-10 July 2008 and included the inshore area from the South Jetty at to mouth of the Columbia River on the outer Washington coast to Pillar Point in the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Biologists and volunteers from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary, Makah Tribal Fisheries, The Seattle Aquarium and Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium participated in the survey. Counting conditions this year ranged from poor to good for the ground observer component and poor to fair for the aerial survey component. With the exception of the initial reconnaissance flight flown on 7 July when conditions were excellent, low clouds and fog hampered aerial survey coverage on all days.