Bull Kelp

Bull kelp has been in decline due mainly to warming waters associated with climate change and disruptions to the ocean food web. Kelp forests provide critically vital habitats for marine animals. Humans around the world also benefit from healthy kelp forests because they are an important source of oxygen and protect coastlines. In Northern California, bull kelp has declined by 95 percent since 2008. Beginning in 2022 the Aquarium began preserving and storing the genetic material of bull kelp to be used in future restoration efforts. The Aquarium has since been able to grow living bull kelp.

The project is focused on preserving genetic diversity of bull kelp to help facilitate future kelp forest restoration projects. Aquarium animal husbandry staff have been carefully preserving gametophytes or genetic material of bull kelp. These gametophytes are stored in stasis at the Aquarium of the Pacific and can be used to grow kelp for outplanting it in the ocean to help restore kelp forest ecosystems.