Kelp forests are among the most biodiverse marine ecosystems on Earth. Their decline threatens the welfare and survival of countless marine species that depend on them for food and shelter.
The welfare implications of kelp forest decline are indirect but profound. Fish species that shelter and feed in kelp forests face habitat loss that translates directly to population stress and starvation. Marine mammals like sea otters and seals lose both food sources and shelter. The interconnected nature of kelp forest ecosystems means protecting them provides welfare benefits across hundreds of species simultaneously — making kelp forest conservation high-impact from an animal welfare perspective.