Reviving Giants: A Journey into the Restoration of Tasmania’s Giant Kelp Forests

Mick Baron and Karen Gowlett-Holmes have been running the Eaglehawk Dive Centre on the iconic Tasman Peninsula since 1991. For decades one of the major attractions to the area has been the giant kelp forests.
But over the years they have seen first hand the destruction of the giant kelp forests, a direct result of climate change.
Dependent on Tasmania’s giant kelp forests more than anyone, Mick and Karen have been instrumental in the efforts to research and rehabilitate these critically endangered ecosystems.
With word spreading about restoration efforts, now the dive centre is increasingly receiving requests for people interested in diving on the restored reefs. In this short film, Mick and Karen take you on a journey through the day in the life of these highly accomplished Tasmanian dive shop owners.
The film explores their personal reflections on the dramatic changes observed in the giant kelp forests within their lifetimes and their ongoing efforts to raise awareness to the issue and gain traction in the rehabilitation of these reefs.
Learn more at www.greatsouthernreef.com/restoration

[@GreatSouthernReef]

Questions about giant kelp? restoration? the film making process? We're here to answer.

[@waterman18]

I would like to know the methods you use to attach your seeded line to substrate. Have you had much luck with "Spore Bags" efficacy in localized recruiting. Any other new ideas?...... We are suffering the same losses of Macrocystis here in Southern California.

[@GreatSouthernReef]

Hi @@waterman18thanks. for your question. The methods used as seen in this film involve tying seeded twine to the holdfasts of another kelp species (Ecklonia) which has been displacing the giant kelp in areas that it has declined. The holdfast make brilliant anchors to support the twine. In recent updates there have been signs of recruitment of baby giant kelps around the restored kelps shown in the film!

[@CameronSmithDiving]

Awesome work. I've seen a few small forests of giant kelp, and it's definitely not something we want to lose. Thanks for undertaking this project.

[@cliffordrowland3290]

I will never for get the dive I had back in the 80's in the little carpark just past the neck. The Kelp Forest was awesome and a totally unforgettable experience. I was saddened when I heard that it had disappeared. Thankfully You guys are on to it. Love ya work 👍

[@GreatSouthernReef]

Thanks for sharing that memory. It really hits home hard when it’s a place that you have personally visited. With a bit of luck some of these dense forests can be brought back.

[@kangarool]

Can’t wait to check it out! Thank you for all your efforts to bring these issues and knowledge to Australia and the world!

[@gonzojazz]

So stoked about seeing this!!!

[@richardbaker4440]

great film, I love kelp!

[@GreatSouthernReef]

Thanks for watching, glad you enjoyed it. We love our kelp too!

[@terencechandler845]

This brings tears to my eyes. I'm a scuba diver I'd love to help plant some kelp. I have a massive passion for helping the environment. Is their any way I can help? What dive centre are you at so I can contact you?

[@GreatSouthernReef]

Thanks for your comment. The dive centre involved is Eaglehawk Dive in Tasmania.

[@puffer_fish9139]

I live where this video was filmed LOL!

[@GreatSouthernReef]

Lucky for you! Do you go diving?

[@skito5554]

Beautiful film. Have ever seen Sui-channel? Sui is a diver and has tried to revive the kelp around Japan. The Japanese divers work to seeds and grow kelps. But sea urchins and fish eat them up very quickly and the sea bed ends up barren. How come urchins in your areas don’t eat kelps? Not like in Asia, can’t they digest kelp?

[@GreatSouthernReef]

Thanks for the feedback and your interesting comment. No we haven't heard of Sui before but will certainly look into it!

[@alanahjade27]

I think kelp forests are my favourite type of ecosystem they are sooo beautiful

[@GreatSouthernReef]

100% who else agrees?

[@user-ti3mq2gr7f]

Hi Karen and Mick, lovely to be reminded what the Tasman Peninsular kelp forests looked like when i dived there. I am curious to learn more about the restoration project. Do you know why the newly seeded Macrocyctis is growing OK when the original forest died since the water is still getting warmer? Locality? Fewer urchins? Jane

[@GreatSouthernReef]

Hi Jane - the baby giant kelps which were planted are thought to be somewhat naturally more tolerant to warmer water since they were sampled from individuals within the remaining giant kelp patches that still occur in Tasmania,.

[@Brad-hw2qj]

0:05 Beautiffuy done. Oo-Nee sea ranch a group of urchin divers scientists and maricultuists are harvesting purples near one of our last kelp forests. Sales are building and this year we hope to plant kelp. Help save Oregon’s Kelp. Eat UNI.

[@GreatSouthernReef]

Thank you! Indeed urchins are also a bit issue here in some parts of our Great Southern Reef. Thankfully there have been some similar interventions with promising results.