Kelp Restoration in the Salish Sea
Neptune has undertaken a unique partnership with veritree on its Northern Salish Sea Kelp Restoration Project. veritree is a data-driven, restorative platform that connects nature-based solutions with mission-driven companies, such as Neptune, eager to revitalize ecosystems, strengthen communities, and build climate solutions.
But why kelp? Kelp sequesters carbon from the atmosphere, absorbs massive amounts of nitrogen, and acts as a filter to clean the ocean for all its inhabitants. Kelp is an incredible plant; growing 30x faster than trees, it reduces acidification in our waters, and provides habitat and feeding grounds that support biodiversity.
The kelp funded by Neptune will be planted in Moon Bay, Nelson Island, and monitored, documented, and used for educational and research purposes. Using the novel Green Gravel technique, juvenile Bull Kelp and Sugar Kelp are seeded onto pebbles. Given the rapid rate at which kelp grows, positive benefits and impact from this seaforestation is expected to be seen within a year, with full recovery anticipated within five years!
“This work will help to restore kelp habitats and support efforts against climate change while recovering key fish and whale habitats off the Sunshine Coast,” says the veritree team. “Neptune’s support is going directly towards ensuring kelp is being both planted and monitored to assess long term success. To put Neptune’s support into context, they are planting over 16,000 kelp which is roughly 2,250 pounds. That’s about the same weight as a baby humpback whale!”