Sea urchins have been around for millions of years, helping keep ocean ecosystems balanced by munching on algae. But something has shifted. Sea urchins have two main natural predators, the adorable sea otter and the striking sunflower sea star. But human activity during the 18th and 19th centuries caused a massive decline in sea otter numbers. And while some populations have recovered, many … Continued
Kelp forests aren’t just beautiful underwater landscapes; they’re vital habitats for thousands of marine species including fish, crabs, sea stars, and the culturally and economically important Pacific herring. In just the past 50 years, the world has lost nearly half of its kelp forests primarily due to climate change, coastal developments, and ecosystem imbalances. Now, our Seaforestation team, together with incredible partners, is working to bring these underwater forests … Continued
Over the last year, Ocean Wise joined forces with the Tseshaht First Nation and West Coast Kelp to restore kelp in the Broken Group Islands Located on the west coast of Vancouver Island, the Broken Group Islands are a stunning maze of small isles and rocky reefs scattered across Barkley Sound. Their unique geography creates … Continued
On the surface, kelp forests look like serene seascapes. But they’re actually bustling hubs of biodiversity. Home to thousands of marine species from tiny phytoplankton to large marine mammals, kelp forests are an essential ecosystem for underwater life. There are over 30 different types of kelp. And each supports its own unique array of critters. … Continued
By Scott Bohachyk, Ocean Wise Director of Seaforestation British Columbia’s seaweed industry is growing and holds great potential to deliver a variety of economic, social, and environmental benefits, particularly for coastal communities. At this early stage of the industry’s development, we have an important opportunity to design, implement, and monitor ocean-positive practices for seaweed cultivation … Continued
IMAGES AND REPORT AVAILABLE HERE (October 22, 2024) – Ocean Wise and the Kelp Forest Alliance are excited to release a first-of-its-kind guidebook to standardize the monitoring of kelp forest ecosystems globally. Monitoring Kelp Forest Ecosystems: A Guidebook to Quantifying Biodiversity, Ecosystem Health, and Ecosystem Benefits is a comprehensive resource for monitoring the health of … Continued
By Max Wolf, Ocean Wise Seaforestation Coordinator Kelp forests have been called the lungs of the ocean, thanks to their ability to sequester carbon and produce oxygen. But they’re so much more! These underwater seascapes support an astonishing array of life, from tiny invertebrates to marine mammals. Providing critical food, shelter, and breeding grounds for … Continued
Welcome to the Ocean Action Grant Blog series! In this series we will be showcasing some of the different Ocean Action Grant projects youth have completed across Canada! The Ocean Action Grant is a microgrant that provides youth across Canada with up to $3000 in funding to lead an individual or collaborative project that contributes … Continued
Why kelp restoration? In many areas across the BC coast, kelp forests are in decline due to a combination of factors, including ocean warming and urchin overpopulation. The overabundance of sea urchins is tied to the extirpation of sea otters in the 18th and 19th centuries and sea star wasting disease that swept the coast … Continued
On Tuesday, April 4 Ocean Wise opened the doors on its Kelp Nursery in West Vancouver. The nursery, a significant step towards restoring and cultivating kelp forests in British Columbia, has implications extending far beyond the region. To launch the nursery, Ocean Wise hosted donors, stakeholders and members of the media for a nursery tour … Continued
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Ocean Wise is based in the traditional and unceded territory of the Coast Salish Peoples, including the territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. We work across Turtle Island and beyond, supporting Indigenous peoples in their vital work on ocean conservation and biodiversity whenever possible or as we are invited to.