Eat Like an Otter with The Elakha Alliance
Our “Eat Like an Otter” event was a beautiful celebration of Oregon’s coastal bounty, connecting food, ecology, and conservation in one unforgettable day with The Elakha Alliance and PicNic Eats. What began as a foggy coastal morning quickly turned into an inspiring hands-on adventure filled with discovery, community, and some very delicious treats to finish the day.
From left to right: Jeff Griffen, Alanna Kieffer, Kyle Motley, Chanel Hason, Gabe Kieffer
Once abundant across the North Pacific, sea otters were aggressively hunted during the maritime fur trade for their dense fur, resulting in the loss of 99 percent of the global population. While the species has recovered in many parts of its range, there has not been a population of this important keystone species in Oregon for over a century. The Elakha Alliance, an Oregon nonprofit (learn more below), is working to build the science, policy, and community engagement needed to reintroduce sea otters to the Oregon Coast. We teamed up to share their mission through a hands-on, engaging workshop.
We started the day exploring Oregon’s rocky intertidal zone, where Alanna guided the group through mussel foraging. While learning about the ecology of our coastline and the many edible species that thrive there, attendees channeled their inner sea otter as they harvested their own mussels. The group discussed sustainable harvesting practices, seasonality, and the importance of proper shellfish licensing. With plenty of guidance and laughter, everyone came away with a deeper understanding of how these small creatures connect to the larger balance of our marine ecosystems.
Back on the bluffs, The Elakha Alliance shared their mission to reintroduce sea otters to the Oregon Coast after more than 100 years of absence. Their passion and vision inspired everyone present, and a portion of ticket sales from the event went directly to their organization to support the effort to bring these charismatic keystone species home.
After our time at the beach, we headed to the Port of Bandon for a behind-the-scenes look at Oregon Seaweed’s land-based aquaculture operation. Participants saw how Pacific Dulse is cultivated in land-based tanks. Jeff Griffin, Port Manager and Elakha Alliance board member, also showed us his urchin ranching efforts currently underway. These projects aim to support both the culinary market and the restoration of local kelp ecosystems. The conversation naturally turned to sea otters and their historic role in maintaining kelp forest health. Without them, urchin populations have gone unchecked, leading to a decline in kelp forests. Restoring balance is complex, but urchin ranching is one of several promising solutions being explored (a dedicated blog post about this will be coming soon).
We closed the day with a shoreline cooking demonstration of mussels and Pacific Dulse as well as an incredible meal by Gabe Kieffer of PicNic Eats. Gabe prepared butter clam ceviche served in clam shells (cause otters definitely eat clam ceviche in clam shells), freshly shucked Haystack Shellfish oysters with a Dulse mignonette, and an octopus salad featuring Tiny Fish Co.’s sustainably sourced West Coast bycatch.
It was the perfect reflection of Oregon’s coastal abundance—simple, sustainable, and deeply connected to the environment that provides it. This event reminded us how intertwined our food systems, marine ecosystems, and communities truly are. From foraging and farming to conservation and cuisine, each step brought us closer to understanding what ocean stewardship really means and how many industries work together to protect our coastal environments.
We are already excited about the idea of doing this again in a new location. Sign up for our newsletter to be the first to know about future events.
The Elakha Alliance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Oregon, founded by tribal leaders, conservationists, and nonprofit advocates united by a powerful vision. We imagine an Oregon coast where future generations thrive alongside a restored sea otter population and a resilient marine ecosystem.
Sea otters hold deep cultural significance for Oregon’s coastal tribes, a legacy disrupted by their elimination during the 19th-century fur trade. It’s time to right this historical wrong and honor their place in tribal heritage. Learn more about the cultural importance of Oregon’s sea otters through insights from Peter Hatch, Elakha Board Member and member of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians.
THE TEAM
CHANEL HASON
Director of Outreach & Community Relations
Chanel has a rich background in marine biology, animal husbandry, environmental education, non-profit management, social media and marketing. She is an otter alum from CSU Monterey Bay, and volunteered with sea and river otters at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. She’s conducted marine science research on the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, and worked for Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ambassadors of the Environment program at the Ritz Carlton Reserve in Puerto Rico. She moved to Oregon in 2016 to obtain her MS in Sustainability Education from Portland State University.
KYLE MOTLEY
Coastal Community Coordinator
Kyle has an extensive background working with endangered species, threatened ecosystems, stakeholder engagement, and watershed restoration projects on private and public lands. Since moving to the South Coast 6 years ago, Kyle has worked with local non-profit groups to successfully implement habitat restoration projects focused on coho salmon and oak woodlands. He is extremely excited to be able to use his stakeholder engagement and community outreach skills for the Elakha Alliance.
