So.California Sea Otters Defy Federal Court Order

I read this morning that a group of Sea Otters have defied a federal court order and have moved outside their designated boundaries in the ocean off the coast of Southern California.  Many years ago a large group of Sea Otters was moved to one of the islands off the Santa Barbara coast to protect them in the event that there was a giant oil spill.  They were told to stay near the island and away from the California coast.  Occasionally a few conservative otters would venture out of the boundary but they were quickly gathered up by federal employees (paid for from our taxes) and returned to the island.

After watching TV and seeing the success of the Tea Party Movement, a large number of Sea Otters decided that they had had enough federal government control, and left their designated area in defiance of the federal court order.  What is worse is that they have moved into commercial fishing areas where the food is more plentiful and have taken some heat from local fisherman.

The fishermen's complaint is not so much that the otters are eating too much, but that they are getting caught in their nets.  Because the Sea Otters are protected by the Obama Administration and the federal government, a fisherman who accidently catches a Sea Otter could risk fines, prison and even worse.

Local fisherman are hoping the issue can quickly be resolved, as is the local Sea Otter population which is now facing stiff fines and jail time for venturing outside their designated safe zone.

The problem has worsened over the last few days as the US Supreme Court has agreed to decide on the fate of the overcrowed California Prison System which clearly does not have enough space to house thousands of endangered Sea Otters and their families.