Photo of the day

Did you know that kelp — any of about 30 genera of brown coastal seaweeds (or algae) found in colder seas — grows lightning fast? In just one day, kelp can become two feet longer! These super seaweeds have the power to permanently remove carbon from the atmosphere, playing a vital role in halting rising temperatures and future climate catastrophe. One-third of California’s kelp beds are located in the Channel Islands’ protected areas, including the one off the coast of Anacapa Island in today’s photo. The Channel Islands’ kelp forests support a remarkable range of ocean life, such as the Garibaldi fish, California moray eel, black rockfish, and sunflower star. In fact, over 1,000 species of marine plants and animals make themselves at home in the kelp.