The Oregon Kelp Alliance

The Oregon Kelp Alliance (ORKA) is a community-based organization representing diverse interests in kelp forest stewardship and restoration in the state of Oregon. ORKA is made up of scientists, natural resource managers, tribal representatives, commercial fishers, tour guides, chefs, and many more all working to support healthy kelp forests.

Members of ORKA are currently working to survey and monitor Oregon’s kelp forests, conduct experimental kelp forest restoration projects, and train kelp forest scientists and restoration specialists. Through ORKA and its partners, an innovative plan is underway to protect healthy kelp forests, restore targeted areas, and increase resiliency of Oregon’s kelp forests against future threats.

Our vision is to build a diverse, community-based kelp forest stewardship program to learn about, restore, maintain, and care for Oregon’s kelp forests now, and for generations to come.

Scuba Diver putting on her dive computer

Photo Credit: Justin Myers

XN0248-D. Bull Kelp (Nereocystis luetkeana) off the coast of Oregon. The amazing, tree-like plants float up to the surface, buoyed by air-filled bladders. Fronds or blades create a canopy. The forest sways back and forth in the surge caused by the swell. In recent years, much of the kelp along the coast of Oregon and California (northern and central) has disappeared, devoured by sea urchins whose population has exploded in the absence of sea star predators. Redfish Rocks, Oregon, USA, Pacific Ocean. Photo Copyright © Brandon Cole. All rights reserved worldwide. www.brandoncole.com

Bull Kelp (Nereocystis luetkeana) off the coast of Oregon. The amazing, tree-like plants float up to the surface, buoyed by air-filled bladders. Fronds or blades create a canopy. The forest sways back and forth in the surge caused by the swell. In recent years, much of the kelp along the coast of Oregon and California (northern and central) has disappeared, devoured by sea urchins whose population has exploded in the absence of sea star predators. Redfish Rocks, Oregon, USA, Pacific Ocean. Photo Copyright © Brandon Cole. All rights reserved worldwide.

Purple Sea Urchins (Stronglyocentrotus purpuratus) in an urchin barrens. These voracious herbivores feed on kelp and algae, and have devoured all the plants on this shallow reef, leaving just bare rock. Warmer than average seawater temperatures and a lack of natural predators (primarily the sunflower sea star, whose population was decimated by a wasting disease) have resulted in an explosion of sea urchin numbers along much of the Oregon coast (as well as central and northern California). Drake Point, South Cove Cape Arago, Oregon, USA, Pacific Ocean. Photo Copyright © Brandon Cole. All rights reserved.

Bull Kelp (Nereocystis luetkeana) off the coast of Oregon. The amazing, tree-like plants float up to the surface, buoyed by air-filled bladders from which fronds or blades extend. Though fast growing, kelp is suffering along the coast of Oregon and California (northern and central) where much of it has disappeared, devoured by purple sea urchins (Stronglyocentrotus purpuratus) shown here in the background. Purple urchin populations have exploded in the absence of sea star predators and during years with warm water events which negatively impact kelp recruitment and general health. It is likely only a matter of time before these urchins feed on this bull kelp plant. Drake Point, South Cove Cape Arago, Oregon, USA, Pacific Ocean. Photo Copyright © Brandon Cole. All rights reserved.