Tristin, Grant
& Helping The Kelp
A thriving nearshore ocean ecosystem is crucial to maintaining wildlife on land and at sea. Today, that ecosystem is in danger along much of the Northern California coast. In just under ten years, a ‘perfect storm’ of warming oceans, loss of apex predators, and the subsequent proliferation of the voracious native purple sea urchin has decimated 96% of kelp forests on California’s North Coast.
Community Mobilization
On the shores of Fort Bragg, Kelp Forest Restoration is a community effort. Local urchin divers like Grant Downie, The Nature Conservancy Kelp Project Director, Tristin McHugh, resource managers at the state of California, and local nonprofits like Reef Check and the Noyo Center for Marine Science all pitch in. Although in early stages, the program has seen some kelp recovery in targeted restoration areas where purple urchins have been systematically harvested by divers.
Fort Bragg’s Marine Science and Education hub, The Noyo Center for Marine Science, has locations in Fort Bragg that the public can visit to learn more about this issue and participate in activities that support kelp forest restoration.
The program has seen recent progress with areas along the North Coast where purple urchins have been removed reporting some natural recovery.
Local Need:
So much more needs to be accomplished to ensure the health of the nearshore ecosystem. Recreational divers with a valid California fishing license can join the effort by participating in the harvest of purple sea urchin from approved locations. Visit California Department of Fish and Wildlife website HERE, (section “29.06 Sea Urchin”) to learn more about the current regulations.
