Nursery Habitat
A healthy kelp ecosystem provides nursery habitat for a wide range of nearshore fish and shellfish species. Explore the unique diversity and abundance of Oregon’s kelp ecosystem.
Rockfish and More!
Kelp forests are essential habitat for a myriad of rockfish species, greenling, topsmelt, lincod and even salmon during some stages of their life history. Kelp habitat is the foundation of many valuable commercial and recreational fisheries in Oregon.
Invertebrate Diversity!
The diversity of invertebrates in kelp forests is astounding! Bristle worms, scud, prawn, snails, brittle stars, sea urchins, sea stars, anemones, crabs, jellyfish and more!
Oregon Nearshore Strategy
Oregon’sNearshore Strategy is a conservation document addressing the long-term ecological integrity of Oregon’s nearshore marine resources.. This guiding document also identifies Strategy Species Bull Kelp and Native Eelgrass are listed as a Strategy Species and both are also listed as an Essential Habitat for ground fish and salmon under the Pacific Fishery Management Council. Click on the image below to learn more about some Strategy Species:
