About the Class
Kelp forests in Washington have been in decline over the last 100 years – with a 36% decline in kelp forests in the San Juan Islands in less than ten years, 80% lost in south Puget Sound in the last 50 years, and the disappearance of all bull kelp beds around Bainbridge Island as of 2015.
Scientists and managers lack the data needed to fully understand the causes of this situation. Reef Check is working in conjunction with the Puget Sound Restoration Fund (PSRF) and many other local partner organizations to address this issue.
Reef Check expanded its monitoring efforts into Washington as a part of the Eyes on Kelp Initiative funded by the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation. This project includes a network of partnerships including PSRF, Reef Check, Marauder Robotics, and The Bay Foundation. The goal of this project is to understand how to achieve a higher level of kelp health and resilience that leads to better management and conservation of this fragile but mighty ecosystem, using a variety of methods.
Contact info: Jackie Selbitschka
Affiliation: www.reefcheck.org
