In Kachemak Bay, signs of autumn are everywhere: in the color of the leaves; the brisk fall air; and greater numbers of sea otters tucking into Mud Bay to rest. Sea Otter Awareness Week (Sept. 28-Oct. 2) is a week to celebrate and salute our near-shore neighbors who live in the ocean.

We at Kachemak Bay Research Reserve have been part of a collaboration of scientists studying sea otters in the bay and collectively we are learning a great deal. Sea otter numbers have increased in the bay since the early 2000s, however, otters continue to suffer due to a bacterial disease that affects the heart valves, known as Strep Syndrome. The underlying causes of Strep Syndrome are complex and may involve multiple factors and pathogens that affect the health and immune system of sea otters.

In 2007, we radio tagged 44 sea otters in the bay and have been studying them since in collaboration with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Of the 12 female otters we monitor, two have died from Strep Syndrome. Of the 32 male otters, three have been taken in subsistence hunts and one died from a boat strike.

Male and female sea otters use different places in the bay to rest and feed. The areas used change in the winter to more protected waters, such as Mud Bay. Pups are being born in the bay as well. Sea otters will produce a single pup each year and are usually mature about 3-4 years of age.

All of the female otters in our study gave birth to one pup during our study and six of them have had two pups since the study began.

To learn more about our charismatic neighbors join us for Sea Otter Awareness Week for two public presentations:

* "What Are We learning About Sea Otters in Kachemak Bay" at noon Wednesday, Sept. 30 ; and

* "Kachemak Bay Sea Otters -- Investigating the Unusual Mortality Event" at 1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 1.

For more information on Sea Otter Awareness Week Events, contact Jess Ryan at 226-4657.

Angela Doroff is the research coordinator at Kachemak Bay Research Reserve.