We explored the Norwegian coast looking for kelp
Updated: Oct 7
From 1 to 20 August, we - along with 8 other students from Germany - set sail to explore Norway's kelp forests. The project was supported by Okeanos Foundation for the Sea. What we found was not just thriving kelp, but also areas where sea urchins had eaten it bare.
The project team on Runde, Norway.
For 20 days, we sailed aboard the research sailing vessel Malizia Explorer to explore, document, and research Norway's kelp forests. Our group was composed of a mix of young ocean enthusiasts from various disciplines: marine sciences, geosciences, biology, science communication, or ocean law. What we all had in common is a shared passion to protect the ocean. On our journey, we chose to focus on kelp, trying to raise awareness about all the amazing things kelp forests can do and provide. We explored the ecosystem from various perspectives: ecological, scientific and artistic.
Kat just before snorkelling with our sailing boat - the Malizia Explorer - in the back
Before embarking on the journey, we connected with Rissa Citizen Science, and they introduced us to the sea urchin barrens, which are vast underwater deserts stripped bare of life by overwhelming urchin populations. Once we arrived in Norway, we witnessed such urchin barrens firsthand during one of our snorkelling sessions around the Lofoten Islands. It was hard to imagine that the desert we saw below us, had been a kelp forest before. To document the crisis, we performed formal transect surveys, and captured 17 geotagged images of a 50/50 cm frame for the Rissa Citizen Science app.
Equipped with a square and cameras to take underwater (photos: Paula Baierlein and Antonius Scheffler)
Beyond digital documentation, we randomly harvested 20 sea urchins to measure and weigh them individually, gathering data to help document the structure of the local population. Through this fieldwork, we not only gained insights into marine ecosystem dynamics, but also became absolute fans of the sea urchins. Taking a close look at their fascinating jaw structure (called Aristotle's lantern), it became hard to see them simply as "the problem."
Weighing and measuring sea urchins.
Through the expedition, we not only learned a lot about the various things kelp can do, but we also realized that public awareness and grassroots citizen science can't stand alone - they must go hand in hand with active ecological management. If we truly want to protect and restore kelp forests, we need continuous monitoring, community-driven data collection, and broader educational outreach to inspire more people to care and get involved.
We were very happy to collaborate with Rissa Citizen Science, and we hope that, going forward, kelp forests get the advocacy they need.
If you would like the learn more about our journey, take a look: https://wavesofaction.eu/malizia-expedition/
The co-authors of this article, Kat and Josefa.
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