Department of Fish and Game

Draft List of Marine Mammals Likely to Benefit from the Establishment of Marine Protected Areas in California

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Species Shallow Depth (ft.) sm-mod adult home range (sm 0-5 km mod 10-20 km) Currently mod-large take Historically mod-large take Low Pop. Estimate (<40% unfished) Size structure shifted toward sm indiv life history trait vulnerable life stage to benefit (e.g., spawning activity, nursery area) habitat impacted (by human activity) Ecologically Important (keystone or habitat forming) Comments
Gray whale surface 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 potential for forage base increase
Harbor porpoise surface 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 potential for forage base increase
Harbor seal surface 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 1 potential for forage base increase, potential human disturbance reduction
Short-beaked common dolphin surface 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 potential for forage base increase
Southern Sea Otter surface 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 potential for forage base increase
Steller's sea lion surface 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 1 Ano Nuevo population has declined, potential for forage base increase, potential human disturbance reduction