"Bit by bit...this "Eden" is being taken apart..."
MOSS LANDING, CALIFORNIA -
A place of unrivaled beauty and vibrant life is now being threatened.
California sea lions are dying in record numbers this year. Due to factors of starvation, changing sea levels (and composition), prey source migration, algal blooms and overfishing.
But it's been especially grim for sea lions at Moss Landing for a few years....and that part's been a bit of a mystery. Toxic algae has taken significant numbers of that local population.
That's where the "heroes" come in...
Sea otters are so vital to their habitat, that - without them - the estuary would begin to degrade.
But their habitat is under grave threats now. Elkhorn Slough is drying up from a prolonged drought, toxic wastes are being dumped into that estuary, and poachers are even randomly shooting otters.
An increasing factor in sea otter mortality is they are becoming prey for great white sharks. The story behind "why" that is happening more is a sorrowful and amazing tale.
This story needs to see the light. It's somewhat fixable, and safeguards could be done rapidly.
The project, which I refer to rightfully as a "project," will get the message out 3 ways: through a film, through an accompanying book/published writing and through public speaking.