Beginning in 1993, sea otters began to reoccupy the 20-mile stretch between Point Sal and Point Arguello. In September 2000, the Department of Fish and Game issued emergency regulations closing this gap in protection by banning gill nets out to 60-fathoms between Point Sal and Point Arguello. Common murres, which have a significant colony at Hurricane Point, Monterey County, have been seriously impacted by set gill nets, resulting in thousands of deaths per year. Defenders and SODI will continue to play a leading role in the efforts to protect sea otters and other marine species from drowning in gill nets. Defenders has recently opened a California Program Office in Sacramento, that will focus on state-level advocacy and species work.
Defenders also has a marine program office in Monterey, California.
Defenders of Wildlife is a leading non-profit conservation organization recognized as one of the nation's most progressive advocates for wildlife and its habitat. The Sea Otter Defense Initiative is a newly formed entity under the Earth Island Institute. Earth Island Institute is a nonprofit educational organization dedicated to protecting the diversity of life on Earth.