Samish elders’ knowledge is guiding a kelp restoration
To choose where to bring kelp back, the Samish Indian Nation turned to interviews with elders recorded in the 1950s and maps drawn by experienced fishers. The team compared that knowledge with aerial imagery, then worked with the Puget Sound Restoration Fund to plant young bull kelp on 20 anchors near Blakely Island in February. Early dives found little growth. By the July checks described in Underscore's September report, kelp was growing on nearly every anchor. The next test was whether the plants could reproduce and seed nearby waters.To choose where to bring kelp back, the Samish Indian Nation turned to interviews with elders recorded in the 1950s and maps drawn by experienced fishers. The team compared that knowledge with aerial imagery, then worked with the Puget Sound Restoration Fund to plant young bull kelp on 20 anchors near Blakely Island in February. Early dives found little growth. By the July checks described in Underscore's September report, kelp was growing on nearly every anchor. The next test was whether the plants could reproduce and seed nearby waters.Expert summary pending. Showing the newcomer version.