Protecting the depths: Bull kelp could become WA's state marine forest
Lawmakers in Olympia are now taking a deep dive into an often-overlooked issue: the protection of bull kelp.
House Bill 1631 aims to safeguard crucial habitats for salmon and other species by establishing bull kelp as the state's official marine forest.
Bull kelp is considered a "canopy" or "foundational" species providing shelter and food for a wide array of marine life, including salmon, rockfish, and small crustaceans.
OLYMPIA, Wash. - As the state faces ongoing debates over school closures and budget deficits, lawmakers in Olympia are diving deep into an often-overlooked issue: the protection of bull kelp.
House Bill 1631 introduced this legislative session aims to safeguard these crucial habitats for salmon and other species, by establishing bull kelp as the state's official marine forest. While the bill is largely symbolic and comes with no direct cost to taxpayers, proponents like the Seattle Aquarium hope it will spark further conservation efforts and inspire public action.
What they're saying
Miguela Marzolf, Ocean Policy Director at the aquarium, shared the legislation has been well received. Telling FOX 13, the measure is backed by Democrats and Republicans alike. Marzolf believes the key is to create connections people might not have considered.
"When we are in Washington a lot of people envision pine trees and evergreens and going out and hiking," said Marzolf. "I think what will really help draw that connection is we've got our terrestrial forest, and we also have our underwater forest that we need to be thinking about and protecting."
The state of Washington reports over the last century, bull kelp has declined by 80 percent across Puget Sound. Rising water temperatures, sedimentation, and ocean acidification are all factors contributing to the struggle. Leaders in Olympia have already promised Climate Commitment Act Funds, to preserving at least 40,000 acres of underwater forest across the region.
Big picture view
Bull kelp is considered a "canopy" or "foundational" species providing shelter and food for a wide array of marine life, including salmon, rockfish, and small crustaceans. Zachary Randell, a senior research scientist at the Seattle Aquarium contends without it we would see much less species diversity in the water.
"Seals, orcas, you may not know it, but those species rely on kelp," explained Randell. "Kelp is directly and indirectly connected to the health of all species in our coastal environment," Randell said. "Without it, we would see much less species diversity in the water."
The Source
Information in this story came from the Seattle Aquarium, Washington State Legislature and FOX 13 Seattle reporting.
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