On a cloudy Tuesday in July, divers Mitch Johnson and Sean Taylor prepare for an underwater mission off the coast of Rancho Palos Verdes, near Los Angeles. The Pacific waters are alive with a lush underwater forest of kelp, once abundant but now struggling due to rising ocean temperatures, pollution, overfishing, and a surge of hungry sea urchins. This has led to an alarming 80% decline in the kelp forests along California’s southern coast.
In recent years, scientists have initiated one of the most ambitious kelp restoration projects worldwide. Armed with hammers and determination, divers like Mitch and Sean have spent countless hours battling the invasive urchins that threaten this vital ecosystem. Today’s dive aims to gauge the success of these efforts.
As the divers plunge beneath the waves, they find a vibrant underwater world. Thick kelp fronds form mats at the surface, creating habitat for birds and a myriad of marine life. The kelp plays a crucial role, serving as a home for over 800 species, stabilizing sediment, and even absorbing carbon from the water.
Over the past 13 years, divers from the Bay Foundation have logged more than 15,000 hours underwater. Their primary focus has been reducing the purple urchin population, which has ravaged the kelp beds. They’ve managed to destroy 5.8 million of these urchins and clear over 80 acres of kelp-rich habitat. Yet, this success often goes unnoticed. “We call it the forgotten forest,” says Tom Ford, CEO of the Bay Foundation.
Kelp ecosystems, often called the “sequoias of the sea,” can grow as much as 2 feet per day. When submerged, they transform into a fairytale-like environment, where sunlight filters through the fronds like stained glass. The thick vegetation provides food and shelter for creatures from fish to whales.
The Bay Foundation’s work extends beyond just clear-cutting urchins. They employed a collaborative approach, working with commercial fishers to restore the ecosystem while ensuring their livelihoods were not harmed. Fisher Terry Herzik has devoted countless hours to this cause, trading his usual catch for underwater labor, which is proving vital to the restoration effort.
Over time, the divers have witnessed remarkable changes. After removing urchins, kelp can grow back rapidly, often within months. Mitch recalls vividly one spot where a lush forest returned just three months after intervention.
As the divers surface from their latest exploration, they report back on their findings of thriving fish populations and budding kelp. However, some pockets still face the urchin threat, leaving the team on high alert.
The ongoing project not only benefits marine life but serves as a potential model for similar endeavors globally. Other regions like Tasmania and South Korea are working to restore their own kelp populations. Resources indicate that California’s efforts have led to a resurgence of species like the California spiny lobster and improved overall water quality, showcasing a glimmer of hope for this critical habitat.
While challenges like climate change and habitat erosion remain, Ford emphasizes the resilience of kelp. Its ability to bounce back quickly after restoration is a testament to how this ecosystem has evolved to thrive under pressure.
In the end, the revival of kelp forests is more than just environmental restoration; it’s about securing a balanced underwater habitat for generations to come, highlighting a future where kelp thrives, benefiting both marine species and coastal communities.
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