From urchin crushing to lab-grown kelp, efforts to save California’s kelp forests show promise

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The endeavor to preserve California’s kelp forests is marked by diverse efforts, from underwater hammer-wielding volunteers to lab-grown kelp experiments. These initiatives aim to counter the drastic decline of Northern California’s iconic bull kelp forests, which suffered a 96% loss between 2014 and 2020 due to the voracious appetite of purple urchins.

Joy Hollenback, a veterinarian from Berkeley, is among the dedicated volunteers who take to the Pacific waters armed with tools to crush these destructive urchins. Their mission is straightforward: to reclaim the underwater ecosystems devastated by these sea creatures. The pilot project off Mendocino County’s coast represents just one facet of California’s multifaceted approach to rescue these vital marine environments, which are under threat globally due to climate change.

The initial results of these conservation experiments offer a glimmer of hope. Biologists have begun to witness small but promising improvements in areas where these initiatives have been in action for several years. This resurgence includes the return of healthy kelp patches and vibrant fish populations in regions where urchins have been successfully controlled.

Further up the coast at Albion Bay, researchers have even achieved a significant milestone by growing lab-cultivated kelp on underwater lines. Notably, this kelp has reached the surface and begun reproducing, marking a crucial achievement in restoring kelp to its natural habitat.

Despite these early victories, significant challenges lie ahead in the battle to save California’s bull kelp. Nevertheless, these achievements offer a glimmer of hope that these once-thriving forests may not be lost forever. Scientists are now embarking on a three-year data collection effort to identify the most effective methods for kelp restoration and management.

Kelp, which was once primarily managed as a fishery, will now be treated as an ecosystem in light of its critical role in supporting various marine species. California’s efforts in this regard could serve as a model for kelp restoration initiatives worldwide, including in regions like Australia and Chile facing similar threats.

The disappearance of kelp is closely tied to rising ocean temperatures, with a significant decline occurring after 2013 when a warm water mass, known as “the blob,” developed off the Alaskan coast and gradually moved southward. Simultaneously, a mysterious disease wreaked havoc on sunflower sea stars, the primary natural predator of purple urchins. This ecological disruption allowed the urchin population to explode, causing widespread damage to kelp forests.

The decline of kelp had far-reaching consequences, leading to the closure of California’s recreational red abalone fishery in 2018 and impacting commercial red urchin harvests. Red urchins are preferred over purple urchins for their edible roe, but their availability has dwindled with the kelp’s decline.

Efforts to restore kelp often involve reducing the purple urchin population, which can lie dormant for extended periods before resurging and devouring new kelp growth. Although these conservation measures are not without controversy, early results suggest they are making a difference, with areas once devoid of life now teeming with marine biodiversity.

While the path to full kelp recovery remains uncertain, these initiatives are buying crucial time for scientists to develop more permanent solutions. They showcase the dedication of diverse volunteers and experts, from paralegals to artists, united in their commitment to safeguard California’s kelp forests and the broader marine ecosystems they support. Ultimately, these endeavors hold the potential to serve as a beacon of hope for kelp restoration efforts worldwide.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Kelp Restoration

More about Kelp Restoration

• AP News Article on California’s Kelp Restoration Efforts
• The Nature Conservancy’s Involvement in Kelp Restoration
• Impact of “the blob” on California’s marine ecosystems
• Sunflower sea star recovery efforts
• Reef Check Foundation’s Kelp Restoration Initiatives
• California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s role in kelp management
• The Watermen’s Alliance’s involvement in urchin crushing
• The role of lab-grown kelp in restoration
• Conservation challenges and future efforts