Restoring Southern California’s Kelp Forests

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Over the last 100 years, the Palos Verdes Peninsula has lost 75 percent of its kelp forests.

Kelp is a type of seaweed that can grow up to two feet a day in coastal waters. But recently, these marine habitats are disappearing due to human factors like pollution, runoff, and overfishing.

In an effort to restore healthy kelp canopies in Southern California’s oceans, The Bay Foundation has implemented a five-year restoration program to cull diseased, overpopulated sea urchins — dense groupings of them referred to as urchin barrens — that are depleting this once-plentiful habitat.

Cara Santa Maria reports from the Palos Verdes Peninsula and talks to scientists from The Bay Foundation about the steps needed to preserve and restore healthy kelp forests in Southern California.

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