Brazil

Brazilian kelp (Laminaria abyssalis) is a unique and endangered species restricted to a narrow stretch of the continental shelf and first described over three decades ago (Quége 1988; Berchez et al. 2008). Unlike most kelp systems, these populations are isolated by tropical waters and characterised by relatively low biomass and a limited range. Their distribution is strongly shaped by depth, light availability, temperature, and current speed, making them highly sensitive to ocean warming. Projections suggest that warming seas will push populations deeper and southward toward Uruguay and Argentina, with a risk of functional extinction if habitat loss, trawling, oil and gas development, or emerging pressures such as offshore wind farms are not managed (Anderson et al. 2021, 2025). In the past three years, conservation research has begun to refocus attention on L. abyssalis. Many studies have noted its co-occurrence with Brazilian rhodolith beds (Curbelo-Fernandez et al. 2024) or evaluated potential applications of its biomass, but more targeted work is also emerging. Offshore wind development is becoming a direct threat: analyses indicate a 45% overlap between proposed energy installations and the kelp’s suitable habitat (Anderson et al. 2025). This work—linked to the EU-funded RestoreSeas program—has opened opportunities for international fundraising and collaboration to improve knowledge of the species’ distribution and advance conservation planning. These initiatives are now moving toward applied outcomes, including identifying degraded areas suitable for restoration, mapping potential climate refuges, and guiding marine protected area design. While restoration methods for other kelps are increasingly tested, there is currently no research into restoring kelp forests at the depths where L. abyssalis occurs. On the policy side, proposals such as the Marine Forests Forever program (Horta et al. 2025) are gaining traction and aim to secure long-term financing for kelp conservation, monitoring, and restoration—potentially as part of discussions at COP30. Although substantial uncertainty remains about the current status and conservation needs of L. abyssalis, the trajectory points toward increasing relevance for green development, marine spatial planning, and climate-aligned conservation.

Brazil’s role as host of COP30 creates a timely window to align national commitments with global climate and biodiversity agendas. The current government has expressed willingness to advance adaptation and mitigation while reinforcing compliance with international agreements adopted in Montreal in 2022. This momentum supports opportunities to: (1) update the ecological diagnosis of L. abyssalis populations, (2) prioritise new MPAs, and (3) design interventions to restore degraded areas. These opportunities also align with the UN Decade of Ocean Science and the Decade of Ecosystem Restoration, helping ensure that Brazilian kelp conservation contributes to global frameworks.