Samish Nation protects ‘breathtaking’ kelp forests, nearshore habitat

Has this happened to you? 👀⁠
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#throwback to a special moment at the Albion restoration site in California.⁠
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Morgan, Reef Check’s Director of Education, captured an adorable moment on video when a curious harbor seal decided to join the fun! “Sometimes they play with us as we swim to the dive site. They think fins are interesting and will lightly nibble and grab them. It is adorable,” she shared. Ian, Reef Check’s Northern California Regional Manager, was the lucky diver who got nibbled this time!⁠
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While harbor seals are undeniably cute, they’re also an important part of the ecosystem. As natural predators, they help regulate populations of fish and sea urchins, which play a key role in maintaining balance in kelp forests. Healthy kelp forests provide food, shelter, and oxygen to a vast array of marine life, but areas like the urchin barrens shown in the video remind us how much work there is to do. ⁠
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This playful seal encounter is a powerful reminder of why we work so hard to restore and protect these ecosystems—for the marine life that depends on them. ⁠
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Have you had a friendly seal encounter? Share the story in the comments. *Disclaimer* Never approach or chase wildlife. Allow them to choose their level of interaction and maintain your composure (and buoyancy!).⁠
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#HarborSeals #KelpForestRestoration #ProtectOurReefs #MarineConservation #ReefCheck #DivingForChange ...

Use your hobby to help important conservation efforts!⁠
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Get trained to collect data on local reef systems with one of our experienced instructors. We have programs running worldwide, so whether you’re into cold or warm water diving, you can join us. The long-term collection of marine data helps inform policy and restoration efforts around the globe! ⁠
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Check out the course options and look up Reef Check chapters near you on our website.⁠
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#kelp #kelpforest #oceanconservation #marinescience #marinebiology #reefrestoration #scubadiver #scubadiving #nonprofit #volunteeropportunity ...

Congratulations to our Northern California Tribal Cohort #1 participants for completing their @nauiworldwide Advanced Scuba Diver course! We had gorgeous conditions at Van Damme State Beach
@reefcheckfoundation ...

Check that vis!
Doesn’t get better than this on the Mendocino Coast 30+ft

#reefcheckcalifornia #bullkelp #mpamonitoring #reefcheckfoundation ...