Conserving Marine Otter Lontra felina in the One of Oldest Marine Protected Areas of Southeast Pacific

Marine otter was one of the reasons to create Paracas National Reserve (PNR), the first protected marine and coastal area in Peru. This natural protected area included the marine otter in its management plans, including the monitoring of the population and identifying a minimal number of otters. In this chapter, we gather and analyze previous studies that assess the marine otter population inside the PNR, including monitoring developed by governmental officials. In addition, we identify the actions around marine otters were included in the management plans in the PNR. We found differences between the methods of censuses of marine otters by different researchers and the PNR officials. We recommend a unique methodology with the agreement of the specialist to report the number of otters, daytime, season, length of assessed area, time used for the census, among others, and considering the logistical constraints. The marine otter is an important conservation object in the PNR management plans. All management plans from 1979 to 2020, include actions to protect marine otters. An effective management of the PNR and coordination with other governmental sectors should be implemented to promote marine otter conservation.