Until recently, sea otters had been absent or at low levels in the vicinity of human populations in Alaska. This situation has changed. As sea otters have expanded into areas used by humans, several concerns have surfaced: 1) impacts of sea otters on shellfisheries; 2) impacts of gillnet fisheries on sea otters; 3) intentional shooting of sea otters as a result of perceived conflicts with shellfisheries/fisheries interests; and 4) potential harvest of sea otters as a resource. The coastal waters surrounding Cordova, Alaska, encompass an area where all of these concerns have been raised. The purpose of this study was to continue and expand upon efforts begun in 1986 (Simon-Jackson 1986): 1) to monitor the expansion of sea otters from Prince William Sound into the Gulf of Alaska through Orca Inlet; and 2) to document sea otter-fishery interactions in the Copper River drift gillnet fishery. Emphasis is being placed on this area because of the apparent conflicts with human shellfisheries/fisheries resource uses. As sea otter numbers continue to increase and the population expands, conflicts are expected to intensify. As initially proposed, the present study was designed to survey suitable sea otter habitat from Orca Inlet to Cape Suckling (Figure 1) in order to monitor numbers and distribution of sea otters, both prior to the opening of the salmon fishery (mid-May) and then monthly during the fishing season (May-October). As a result of funding reductions, the allowable flight time -was reduced and the surveys encompassed only the waters between Orca Inlet and Egg Island Channel (Figure 2). Results from the May, 1986 aerial survey had shown 87 percent of the sea otters observed occurred in Orca Inlet/Hawkins Island Cutoff or the western portion of the Copper River delta (Table 1: Simon-Jackson 1986). Another objective was to collect data on incidental take. Beaches were surveyed on foot for dead marine mammals and birds. The coastlines of Hinchinbrook Island (Point Steele to Boswell Bay) and the Gulf of Alaska side of Egg Island were searched as weather and funding allowed.
