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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 ...

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Jun 17

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Congratulations to our newest Oregon Restoration Divers! ⁠
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Over the course of our recent training program, participants gained hands-on experience in kelp forest restoration, learning the science behind ecosystem recovery and developing ethical urchin culling skills.⁠
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This new cohort of trained volunteers will play a vital role in supporting restoration efforts at three sites along the Oregon coast, helping to create conditions for kelp forests to recover and thrive.⁠
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Interested in getting involved? We’d love to hear from you! ⁠
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While our 2026 training courses are now full, follow our page and sign up for our email list to be the first to know about upcoming opportunities.⁠
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This work is supported by @oregonkelp under the @noaafisheries grant.⁠
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#scubadiving #oregoncoast #coldwaterdiving #oceanconservation #reefrestoration ...

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Jun 15

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Trained divers from the @reefcheckmalaysia Community Marine Conservation Groups removed more than 1,300 crown-of-thorns sea stars from reefs surrounding Tabawan and Adal Islands in Sabah.⁠
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Crown-of-thorns sea stars are natural reef inhabitants, but when their populations reach outbreak levels, they can consume vast amounts of living coral and contribute to widespread reef degradation.⁠
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Thanks to rapid response efforts, volunteers from Selakan, Larapan, Mabul, and Kunak came together to address the threat before further damage could occur.⁠
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“Removing more than 1,300 crown-of-thorns starfish in just two days demonstrates the value of investing in local conservation capacity,” said Reef Check Malaysia Senior Programme Manager Adzmin Fatta.⁠
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Perhaps most importantly, this effort highlights the incredible role coastal communities play in protecting the ecosystems they depend on. ⁠
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Community divers are often the first to detect changes underwater, allowing conservation teams to respond quickly and effectively.⁠
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Thank you, @reefcheckmalaysia for your dedication and effort!⁠
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📸: @kogia_org @the.oceanic.eye⁠
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#crownofthorns #oceanconservation #reefrestoration #scubadivers ...