Through Ann Cools' lens: documenting the return of Tromsø’s kelp forests.

The first time Ann Cools joined a Rissa Citizen Science event was to restore seaweed forests in Tromsø. She was the first to photograph the restoration site in Telegrafbukta, documenting the urchin barren, before turning her lens to the city center site at Sørsjetéen, where underwater forests have returned thanks to the Kelpers.

Meet Ann Cools, one of Rissa Citizen Science’s strongest supporters, and a true source of inspiration for us.

Ann Cools on Sørsjetéen in April 2025.

Hi Ann, can you introduce yourself?

Hi! I live in Belgium and work as a documentary and fine art photographer. I have a background in organisational psychology and worked most of my career in human resources, but recently I decided to pursue a creative life with more time in nature. I love documenting nature conservation initiatives and sharing their work through my lens. The stories we share play a fundamental role in how we interact with the world around us. And I believe showing what works, is essential to inspire positive action.

Kelp and anemones along Sørsjetéen in April 2025.

How did you hear about Rissa Citizen Science, and what motivated your visit earlier this year?

I don't know exactly why or when, but I developed an interest in kelp and felt the call to photograph it. When I mentioned this to a friend, she suggested to check Rissa's kelp restoration project. She had joined Rissa in Ånderdalen National Park the year before and had a wonderful experience. After a video call with Rissa's director, my curiosity about kelp only grew and I was eager to see it with my own eyes.

Sea urchins surrounding a patch of seaweed in Telegrafbukta, April 2025.

You photographed the two sites where we're working with volunteers to restore kelp forests. What impressions did the dives leave on you?

The first dive was at Telegrafbukta, the new site where no work had been done yet. As soon as I looked beneath the surface I was amazed by the clarity of the water. It was like swimming through turbulent air. At the same time I could see urchins in every corner of my eye. Purely visually I found it beautiful, this desolate underwater landscape. But diving in the other site in Sørsjetéen, made it very obvious what a healthy environment looks like. I was blown away by the restored part of the jetty that is bursting with life and colours. It gave me hope to see that nature recovers quickly if we let her.

Rissa Citizen Science's kelp forest restoration site in Telegrafbukta in April 2025.

You said you took part in one of Rissa’s kelp restoration events at Søresjetéen. Could you share what that experience was like for you?

Another good day for my hope for the future :-) It was wonderful to see people come together and take action for their hometown's marine ecosystem. Caring for nature creates a connection and there's just something about getting in the water together that makes people extra cheerful. The freshly baked waffles and hot coffee afterwards top it off. In short I would say the restoration events are a great way to meet nice, interesting and like-minded people, to have a very tangible positive impact on nature and to treat yourself to underwater eye candy.

Rissa's Kelpers at Sørsjetéen during a kelp restoration event in April 2025.

As a nature conservation photographer and storyteller, what is it about kelp forests that you find so inspiring?

At first, I was visually intrigued. I am a water person and I find there is something very poetic about kelp moving with the current. Very soon I learnt kelp forests are critically important for healthy ecosystems below ánd above the surface, on a local ánd global level. Along with their incredible resilience, it's impossible to not be inspired by kelp forests.

Kelp along Sørsjetéen thanks to retsoration effort with volunteers.

All of us at Rissa Citizen Science are big fans of your work, and we feel fortunate to have such a talented supporter on board. Do you have any upcoming projects you’d like to share with us?

Thank you! The next months I'll be mainly focusing on developing my artistic vision and skills. There are many things I want to learn and try, and there are many things to unlearn too. I'm a bit hesitant to share ideas that have not come to fruition yet so I suggest following my journey on Instagram to stay up to date. And in 2026 I hope to come back to Tromsø to make new photos of the recovering kelp forests :-)

One of the last patches of seaweed in Telegrafbukta, April 2025.

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Visit Ann Cools' website here.

Rissa Citizen Science's kelp forest restoration efforts with volunteers are part and supported by the Ocean Green project.