Sea otters are a keystone species whose presence promotes recovery and stability of kelp, seagrass, fish stocks, and salt marsh ecosystems.
By improving these vegetated ecosystems, sea otters can indirectly enhance carbon storage and nutrient cycling, improve fish habitat, and increase biodiversity. Additionally, given the public's love of sea otters, they boost local economies through nature-based tourism.
This project greatly benefits from the fact that sea otters are one of the most studied and data-rich species. Partnering with Dr. Brent Hughes, coastal ecology and conservation expert, along with expert modelers, BGF utilizes science to pioneer a new methodology to quantify and finance sea otter-driven ecosystem services, unlocking natural capital markets to fund the recovery of otters and coastal ecology.
This framework will enable grants, sponsors, and market-based finance mechanisms to support marine protected areas (MPAs), restore coastal ecosystems, mitigate threats, and restore and protect sea otter populations.
