Restoration Objective:

The aim of restoration was to reseed kelps where they had exhibited little or no recovery in order to improve biological and commercial outcomes.

Site Selection Criteria:

Transplant sites were selected where giant kelp was once present. Ideal transplant sites had many attachment points, no competing macroalgae and were in less than 13m of water.

Cause Of Decline:

Historically, beds of giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) along the Orange County coastline were dense and covered much of the available rocky substrate from the shallow subtidal area down to 20m and deeper. These beds supported a diverse assortment of fish, invertebrates, and other plants, many of which were of significant interest to commercial and sport fisherman. The warm waters brought by the El Niño of 1982-1983 caused the loss of most giant kelp stands leaving only a few surviving patches along the Orange County shoreline. Additional stressors to kelp populations included urbanisation, low water quality, storms and overfishing.

Key Reasons For Decline:

Heatwave

Scientific Paper

Orange County Kelp Restoration Project

M.B.C.Applied Environmental Sciences

p.93.

Organisation:

MBC Aquatic

Site Observations:

Observation Date

19th Jun 1987 – 27th Sep 1989

Action Summary:

Adult and juvenile Macrocystis pyrifera plants were transported from the donor site quickly, covered in a tarp and kept cool and moist. Juveniles were also grown in lab culture. Kelps were attached using rope sewn through the holdfast with needles. Adult and juvenile kelps were transplanted to 12 sites. Sites were monitored, maintained, and sometimes expanded with additional juvenile kelps over three years.

Lessons Learned:

Grazing by herbivorous fish and sea urchins inhibited kelp recruitment.

Project Outcomes:

In North Scotchmans Cove, no canopy was observed in the final surveys conducted in 1989. The final survey covered approximately 75% of the site, and 2 adults, 236 subadults, and 70 juvenile kelp plants were observed. Both adults and more than 50% of subadults were severely grazed by fish.

Nature of Disturbance:

Damage from fish grazing reduced health of transplanted kelps.

Key Reasons For Decline:

Heatwave

Area of Restoration (Ha)

1.6

Indicator Data:

Indicator:	Ending Value:	Starting Value:
Adult Kelp Count	308.0000	1067.0000

MBC Applied Aquatic - North Scotchmans Cove

Restoration Project

MBC Applied Aquatic - North Scotchmans Cove

Restoration Objective:

Site Selection Criteria:

Cause Of Decline:

Heatwave

Orange County Kelp Restoration Project

Organisation:

MBC Aquatic

Site Observations:

19th Jun 1987 – 27th Sep 1989

Action Summary:

Lessons Learned:

Project Outcomes:

Nature of Disturbance:

Heatwave

1.6

Indicator Data:

Indicator:

Ending Value:

Starting Value:

Adult Kelp Count

4. Supports Ecosystem Recovery Processes

6. Seeks The Highest Level Of Ecosystem Recovery Possible