Can we save kelp forests by eating sea urchins?

Summary

Researchers on the northern California coast are using drones to monitor dwindling kelp forests, which have declined by over 90% in the last decade due to the explosion of purple sea urchins and climate change. The loss of kelp has devastated marine species and forced the closure of California's red abalone fishery, impacting local economies. Scientists are addressing this crisis by turning sea urchins, the main culprits, into seafood delicacies like uni, while working to restore kelp ecosystems. However, further solutions are needed to fully recover these vital marine habitats.

Takeaways

• 🌊 Researchers in Northern California are using drones to map and monitor the remaining kelp forests.
• 💔 More than 90% of kelp forests in this region have been lost within a decade, impacting marine species.
• 🎣 The loss of kelp has led to the closure of California's $44 million red abalone fishery, affecting fishermen and tourism.
• 🌪 A combination of stressors has devastated the bull kelp forests, including disease, sea urchin overpopulation, and marine heatwaves.
• 🦀 Purple sea urchins, whose population exploded after sea stars (their main predator) were wiped out by disease, are consuming the kelp at unprecedented rates.
• 🔥 Climate change, particularly marine heatwaves, is worsening the crisis by making it difficult for kelp to recover.
• 🔍 This issue extends beyond California, with Oregon reporting a 10,000% increase in purple sea urchins over the past five years.
• 🏞 Large sections of the Pacific Coast have turned into 'urchin barrens,' where sea urchins dominate areas where kelp used to thrive.
• 🍣 A company called 'Urchinomics' is addressing the problem by turning the destructive sea urchins into a seafood delicacy, aiming to restore kelp forests while creating economic opportunities.
• 🌱 Urchin ranching is one proposed solution, but many more efforts are needed to fully restore kelp forests and the ecosystems that rely on them.

Q & A

What is the current state of kelp forests on the northern California coast?

Researchers report that more than 90% of the kelp forests on the northern California coast have been lost in less than a decade, severely impacting the marine ecosystem.

Why was California's red abalone fishery forced to close?

The loss of kelp forests devastated the red abalone population, which relied on these ecosystems. This forced California to close its $44 million red abalone fishery, negatively affecting fishermen and tourism.

What factors have contributed to the decline of bull kelp forests?

The kelp decline is attributed to an explosion of purple sea urchins, which overgraze on bull kelp, combined with the loss of their main predator, sea stars, due to a deadly disease. Additionally, a marine heatwave has hindered kelp recovery.

What ecological consequences are caused by the overpopulation of purple sea urchins?

The overpopulation of purple sea urchins has turned large areas of the Pacific Coast into 'urchin barrens,' where the urchins overgraze, causing the destruction of seaweeds and kelp, and negatively impacting marine ecosystems.

How has the purple sea urchin population changed in Oregon in recent years?

In Oregon, researchers have reported a 10,000% increase in the purple sea urchin population over the past five years, causing widespread destruction of kelp forests.

What is the goal of the 'urchinomics' project mentioned in the script?

The 'urchinomics' project aims to restore kelp forests by turning the destructive sea urchins into a seafood delicacy known as uni. By harvesting and fattening up the urchins, they can be sold to seafood markets while helping restore the marine ecosystem.

How does urchinomics contribute to both environmental and economic opportunities?

Urchinomics turns an ecological problem (overgrazing sea urchins) into an opportunity by converting the urchins into valuable seafood products. This helps restore kelp forests while creating economic benefits through the sale of sea urchin roe.

What role do divers play in the urchinomics project?

Divers harvest undernourished sea urchins from the ocean, which are then brought to a facility where they are fattened up for several weeks until they are healthy enough to be sold as premium seafood products.

Where else has the urchinomics concept been launched besides California?

Urchinomics has launched similar projects in Japan and Canada, where overgrazing sea urchins are also being turned into seafood products to help restore kelp forests and provide economic benefits.

Why is addressing the kelp forest crisis important for marine life?

Kelp forests are critical for marine biodiversity, providing habitat and food for various species. Restoring these ecosystems is essential for the survival of species that depend on them, including fish, invertebrates, and marine mammals.