A Diver’s Mission: Saving the ‘Forgotten Forest’

On a cloudy July Tuesday, divers Mitch Johnson and Sean Taylor don their wetsuits aboard the R/V Xenarcha, a small boat anchored off Rancho Palos Verdes, California. Below them, the ocean is alive with a lush forest of giant Pacific kelp, often referred to as the 'mermaid hair' of the sea.

These underwater giants, once thriving, have faced a catastrophic decline—80% of the kelp forests along the Southern California coast have vanished due to rising ocean temperatures, pollution, overfishing, and voracious sea urchins that feast on the young kelp.

A Restoration Revolution

In a remarkable effort, scientists have launched one of the world's largest and most successful kelp restoration projects. Armed with hammers and determination, divers are on a mission to crush millions of sea urchins threatening this precious ecosystem. Today, they’re here to survey the results of their hard work.

The underwater kelp fronds are now so robust that they create surface mats, providing resting spots for egrets and herons above. The waters teem with life, hosting vibrant orange garibaldi fish, stealthy white sharks, and majestic blue whales just miles away.

The Fight Against the Urchin Invasion

Equipped with cameras and measuring tapes, Johnson and Taylor survey the kelp instead of smashing urchins today. Under the leadership of the Bay Foundation, divers have logged an astonishing 15,575 hours underwater over 13 years, focusing on reducing the overwhelming purple urchin population.

With the removal of 5.8 million urchins from 80.7 acres—an area equivalent to 61 football fields—hope is on the horizon for the kelp forests. Yet, not everyone might be aware of this 'forgotten forest,' as executive director Tom Ford aptly describes it.

The Cathedral of the Sea

Kelp ecosystems are nature’s answer to storm waves and carbon capture, supporting over 800 marine species. Known as the “sequoias of the sea,” these towering plants can grow an astonishing 2 feet daily and reach heights of 100 feet.

Ford vividly recalls the awe he felt upon first entering the kelp forest. "It felt like floating through a cathedral, rays of sunlight piercing through a green canopy, surrounded by vibrant marine life.” But without intervention, these underwater realms were on the brink of destruction. In 2012, the seabed was a blanketed landscape of purple urchins, suffocating any chance for kelp to thrive.

Battling Historical Setbacks

The kelp crisis is rooted in a tangled history: a near extinction of sea otters due to historical hunting and chemical pollution from local DDT discharges clogged the ecosystem. Additionally, a sea star wasting disease decimated local populations that naturally controlled the urchin numbers, allowing the purple menace to proliferate.

To combat this, the Bay Foundation set specific targets for urchin populations—two per square meter—while some areas had up to 80! Collaborating with fishermen, volunteers, and divers, the initiative began clearing the ocean floor, paving the way for recovery.

A Gripping Battle and Hopeful Return

As divers tirelessly smashed urchins week after week, the results were astounding. Within months, kelp returned to previously barren sea floors, sprouting from the water like life itself.

After a rigorous day of surveying, Johnson and Taylor resurface, excitement and exhaustion evident. They describe lush kelp growth and thriving fish populations, but there's work ahead as pockets of urchins still threaten recovery.

A Glimpse into a Restored Future

As the divers continue their mission, they find kelp so thick that it nearly prevents the boat from moving. The return of life to the sea also means recovery for fisheries; the prized red sea urchin’s gonads are now thriving, weighing significantly more thanks to the resumption of kelp growth.

Despite ongoing threats from climate change—warmer ocean temperatures and destructive storms—the restoration sites demonstrate remarkable resilience. The quick recovery of kelp illustrates the ecosystem's ability to bounce back when given a fighting chance.

As the kelp forests regain their strength, they not only herald a brighter future for marine life but also showcase a model for restoration efforts worldwide. With collaborative commitments and ongoing stewardship, perhaps California’s kelp forests can once again flourish into the next century—an enchanting underwater fairytale restored.