Bull Kelp

Bull kelp (Nereocystis luetkeana) stands as both sentinel and savior in the Salish Sea, its golden-brown fronds dancing with the tide in an elegant underwater ballet. Beyond its mesmerizing beauty, this annual seaweed serves as a crucial carbon sink, sequestering atmospheric carbon dioxide through photosynthesis at rates comparable to terrestrial forests. The intricate underwater forests created by bull kelp provide essential nursery habitat for juvenile rockfish, salmon smolts, and countless invertebrates seeking refuge from predators. Young herring deposit their eggs among the protective fronds, while sea otters weave resting platforms from its flexible stipes. As ocean acidification threatens marine ecosystems, bull kelp's ability to locally raise pH levels creates microenvironments where calcifying organisms like shellfish can continue to build their shells. This remarkable species, capable of growing up to 10 inches per day in optimal conditions, exemplifies nature's perfect union of beauty and function in the complex marine ecosystem of the Salish Sea.

Photos from 2024