In 2023, a sea otter known as 841 became a sensation after she climbed aboard several surfboards and evaded capture. Now surfboards are being stolen again, but it’s not clear whether 841 is the culprit this time. Experts say it’s possible that another otter has begun to see the appeal of surfing. That may highlight the need to manage clashes between a rising number of aquatic sports enthusiasts and a resurgent population of marine mammals in their natural habitat. For now, the people in the community are calling on surfers and others in the ocean to keep their distance for their own safety and for that of the otters. “These otters have nowhere to go that isn’t absolutely packed with humans," said Gena Bentall, Director and Senior Scientist with Sea Otter Savvy, an organization that works to reduce human-caused disturbances to sea otters and promote responsible wildlife viewing. She suggests that the best way to keep surfers safe is to give the otters more space. “We’re guests in the ocean,” said Bentall.
