Fort Bragg 2022

@reefcheckfoundation

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reefcheckfoundation

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Jun 24

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Baja California Regional Manager, Jessica Pantoja, and Washington Volunteer Coordinator, Shawn Augustine, caught sharing many laughs during their Instructor Training Course in Monterey, California.⁠
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And yes, that means you could be learning from two new incredible Reef Check Instructors very soon!⁠
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#oceanconservation #marinebiology #scubadiver #citizenscience⁠

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reefcheckfoundation

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Jun 22

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Summer means massive growth!⁠
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As part of the natural life cycle of kelp, we are moving into the productive stage of maturity for our kelp forests on the west coast of North America. ⁠
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This is also volunteer season, which means we have divers in the water documenting the development and changes. ⁠
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In healthy kelp forests, each year plays out the same: spores are released from the mature kelp, they are fertilized, and then sporophyte growth begins in the spring. Summer brings the big growth that you see pictured here. Then the whole cycle repeats, and mature kelp will be washed ashore in the winter storms. ⁠
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A natural birth and death cycle, which has been interrupted in many places around the world by increased temperatures and loss of predators, resulting in urchin overpopulation and “urchin barrens.” ⁠
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Learn how we’re helping to document and restore the balance of our underwater forests on our website, and donate to help the cause!⁠
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📸: @underwaterpat⁠
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#scubadiving #oceanconservation #nonprofit #KelpForest ...

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reefcheckfoundation

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Jun 19

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Exciting news from the Oregon Coast!⁠
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For the first time in nearly a decade, both Macklyn Cove and Nellies Cove, our South Coast restoration sites, have naturally recruited bull kelp. For some of our volunteers and staff, it’s the very first time they’ve seen kelp growing on these reefs.⁠
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After years of barren conditions, seeing kelp return is a powerful reminder of why restoration and long-term stewardship matter. These signs of natural recovery give us hope that Oregon’s kelp forests can rebound and thrive once again.⁠
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A huge thank you to our dedicated volunteers, whose hard work, enthusiasm, and commitment make this progress possible. Every dive, survey, and restoration effort contributes to creating the conditions for kelp to return.⁠
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We’re excited to watch these young kelp grow and can’t wait to see what this season brings. Stay tuned.⁠
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This work is supported by @oregonkelp under the @noaafisheries grant.⁠
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#scubadiving #coldwaterdiving #oregoncoast #reefrestoration ...