Kelp forests are among the ocean's most biodiverse ecosystems, and their accelerating loss has profound welfare implications for fish, invertebrates, and marine mammals.
Kelp forest loss creates widespread marine animal welfare impacts. Fish that depend on kelp structure for shelter, foraging, and reproduction face habitat loss that reduces their ability to meet basic needs. The transition from healthy kelp forest to urchin barren represents an ecosystem welfare collapse - urchins in barrens often starve ('zombie urchins') while the fish and invertebrate communities that depended on kelp are displaced or die. Kelp restoration programs that reintroduce sea otters, cull urchins, or transplant juvenile kelp are active welfare interventions with ecosystem-wide benefits.