Presentation Abstract
The waters of Puget Sound are home to one of the most diverse assemblages of kelp species in the world, providing numerous ecosystem services. However, documented loss of bull kelp (Nereocystis luekeana) forests in South and Central Puget Sound and observed declines throughout Puget Sound, pose a threat to marine ecosystems dependent on kelp forests for habitat and primary production, and jeopardize economic activities reliant on kelp-based resources. Although the recently released Kelp Conservation and Recovery Plan highlights the need for action, local environmental regulations may complicate implementing restoration projects and may not adequately protect kelp. We used content analysis to examine 45 local Shoreline Master Programs in jurisdictions along Puget Sound to identify kelp protection and restoration actions, then compared local kelp protection and restoration potential to the linear extent of understory and canopy kelp in each county. Our assessment revealed generally low levels of both protection of kelp and support for kelp restoration across all Shoreline Master Programs. These results may reflect a bias toward freshwater restoration stemming from watershed restoration efforts in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Although support for kelp restoration is largely absent from current Shoreline Master Programs, recent legislative activity has paved the way for policy changes that reflect the emerging scientific consensus that nearshore kelp habitats in Puget Sound are vital for salmon, rockfish and other important species.
Session Title
Eelgrass and Nearshore Management Plans
Conference Track
SSE9: Nearshore
Conference Name
Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference (2022 : Online)
Document Type
Event
SSEC Identifier
SSE-traditionals-6
Start Date
27-4-2022 11:30 AM
End Date
27-4-2022 1:00 PM
Rights
Copying of this document in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this document for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author's written permission.
Type
Text
Language
English
Shoreline Management Plans: A hindrance or a help to kelp conservation in Puget Sound?
The waters of Puget Sound are home to one of the most diverse assemblages of kelp species in the world, providing numerous ecosystem services. However, documented loss of bull kelp (Nereocystis luekeana) forests in South and Central Puget Sound and observed declines throughout Puget Sound, pose a threat to marine ecosystems dependent on kelp forests for habitat and primary production, and jeopardize economic activities reliant on kelp-based resources. Although the recently released Kelp Conservation and Recovery Plan highlights the need for action, local environmental regulations may complicate implementing restoration projects and may not adequately protect kelp. We used content analysis to examine 45 local Shoreline Master Programs in jurisdictions along Puget Sound to identify kelp protection and restoration actions, then compared local kelp protection and restoration potential to the linear extent of understory and canopy kelp in each county. Our assessment revealed generally low levels of both protection of kelp and support for kelp restoration across all Shoreline Master Programs. These results may reflect a bias toward freshwater restoration stemming from watershed restoration efforts in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Although support for kelp restoration is largely absent from current Shoreline Master Programs, recent legislative activity has paved the way for policy changes that reflect the emerging scientific consensus that nearshore kelp habitats in Puget Sound are vital for salmon, rockfish and other important species.
