Kelp and eelgrass are important for our oceans and for Washington

On Monday, the Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) proposed its plan to conserve and restore 10,000 acres of kelp forest and seagrass meadows by 2040. This comes in response to a law signed in 2022 by Gov. Inslee that directed the state agency to do so.

Kelp and eelgrass are incredible aquatic plants. They improve water quality and provide habitat and hunting ground for a whole host of species, from Dungeness crabs and fish,  to seals, otters, and orcas. Nearshore kelp forests also help stabilize shorelines and prevent coastal erosion by providing a buffer against waves.

Unfortunately, kelp and eelgrass species are at risk from factors like water pollution, erosion, and climate change. Kelp forest across the state have shown declines, and some kelp forests, like the historical kelp beds around Bainbridge Island in Central Puget Sound, have disappeared all together.  The state’s plan seeks to restore these threatened habitats.

The proposed plan outlines three initial areas in which they’ll focus their recovery actions to meet their 10,000 acre conservation goal: South Puget Sound, the Eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca, and the Grays Harbor sub-basin on the Pacific Coast. DNR is seeking the public’s input on specific areas of concern within these target zones.

Washington has been a pioneer with this initiative, and it’s clear that state officials understand the value that kelp and eelgrass provide to the local community and environment. We believe other coastal states should establish similar goals and programs, and engage with the public in a similar way.

Here are our official thoughts on the plan and here is where you can provide your own opinions on it.