Self-Sustaining Kelp Forest Restoration

Due to a combination of over fishing and climate change, the humble sea urchin has reproduced unhindered, overgrazing kelp forests throughout the world. Kelp forests that used to support over 700 different species of marine life, provide continuous carbon sequestration and protection from erosion and acidification, are now becoming lifeless, desert-like rock barrens.

After grazing down kelp forests, the urchins remain alive. Starved and empty, they become valueless for fishers as well as uninteresting to eat among the few predators that remain. This barren state, where empty urchins dominate and hinder the regrowth of kelp forests, can last for decades or even centuries.

Studies have shown that removing overgrazing sea urchins will bring back the kelp forests in as short as 3 months. However, it has been difficult to put the science into practice due to the high costs of clearing urchins with divers and limited funding to pay for such efforts.