Results of the 2012 Survey of the Reintroduced Sea Otter Population in Washington State

The 2012 Washington sea otter survey was conducted from 9-13 July 2012 and included the inshore waters of Washington from the South Jetty at the mouth of the Columbia River, northward along the outer Washington coast and into the Strait of Juan de Fuca to Tongue Point. Biologists and volunteers from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary, Makah Fisheries, Quinault Indian Nation, The Seattle Aquarium, and the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium participated in the survey. Counting conditions this year were variable with visibility ranging from excellent to poor for both the aerial and ground components. As with 2011 surveys, fog and low visibility prevented or reduced aerial and ground survey coverage on most days.