Why kelp forests matter — economically, ecologically, and personally.
Published 4 months ago • 3 min read
The Kelp Current - February 2026 Our ocean-inspired newsletter brings together thoughtful stories, simple science, and small ways to make the coast part of everyday life.
Sample of the ghost gear recovered during kelp forest clean up dive.
Hello friend,
Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about kelp forests — not just as ecosystems, but as structure. Economically, ecologically, and personally, they hold things together in ways we don’t often notice from shore.
This issue pulls on that thread. From the surprising dollar value of kelp forests, to winter foraging, to a recent cleanup dive that made the underwater impacts of fishing impossible to ignore, each piece is a different way of looking at what kelp quietly supports.
🌊 A moment from the water
Earlier this month, I joined a cleanup dive at the 10 Mile site off Victoria. Much of what we recovered — ghost line and abandoned lures — had snagged on walking stick kelp, weighing it down and damaging growth.
That’s one of the silent ways fishing pressure shows up underwater. Line doesn’t disappear; it accumulates, slowly turning living structure into hazard — weighing down healthy kelp and creating traps for marine life.
On a second, just-for-fun dive, a myth-sized Giant Pacific octopus appeared — calmly tucked into a shallow crevice. It felt like a quiet thank-you.
Sometimes ocean literacy is reading a guide. Sometimes its pulling line out of kelp.
Both matter — and are part of how we learn to care.
As always, feel free to reply! I read every message.
P.S. If someone forwarded you this and you’d like to stay in the loop – subscribe here — and if there’s a seaweed question you’ve always wondered about, feel free to hit reply — I’m collecting ideas for future issues.
🗞️ Seaweed in the News
What’s actually shaping the seaweed conversation.
Giant Kelp Forests Are Worth $500 Billion
New research estimates the global value of kelp forests at over $500 billion — factoring in fisheries support, carbon storage, and coastal protection. It’s a powerful reminder that kelp isn’t niche; it’s infrastructure.
KelpGen is a new research project using genetics to better understand kelp forests along the BC coast. That knowledge is being used to inform restoration efforts and long-term kelp management.
How seaweed shows up in family food — when it can make sense, when to wait, and what to consider. This guide focuses on curiosity and safety, not pressure or perfection.
Kelp forests aren’t just seaweed. They’re living structure that holds entire ecosystems together. This piece looks at who depends on kelp forests, how geography and farming shape them, and why structure matters more than we often realise.
A coastal voice using kelp in everyday cooking — not as a novelty, but as a center-of-the-plate ingredient with history and flavour. This one’s about food, culture, and accessibility.
Cold water, low tides, and fewer crowds make winter an underrated season for seaweed foraging. This guide covers what’s available, what to watch for, and how to forage responsibly.
If tides still feel confusing, you’re not alone. This free guide breaks down how tides work and why they matter for seaweed, foraging, and coastal life.
Seaweed tea has been brewed in coastal communities for generations — warm, mineral-rich, and more ritual than remedy. Made with kelp and bladderwrack, this tea offers a simple way to connect with seaweed in winter, without needing to cook, forage, or overhaul your routine.
Why people reach for it: A warming cup on cold days Naturally rich in trace minerals Simple to prepare — easy to include
It is with great humility and appreciation that we can carry out our work on the traditional lands of the T’Sou-ke and W̱SÁNEĆ, Lkwungen, Malahat, and Scia’new peoples. Unsubscribe · Preferences
