James Bodkin is Scientist Emeritus with the US Geological Survey. Jim received a MSc degree from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo in 1986. He led the sea otter and nearshore ecosystem research program for the USGS, Alaska Science Center until his retirement in 2013 and continues to consult with government, private and academic organizations regarding sea otters and coastal marine ecosystems. Jim has 47 years of experience with sea otters and marine ecosystems and co-edited Volume I of Sea Otter Conservation.