Tuesday August 6, 2024
PhysOrg —
A proposal to expand one of San Diego’s 11 marine protected areas would make it the largest in the county, and could help wildlife off Point Loma thrive. But miles gained would be miles lost to some local fishermen.
Two environmental groups want to expand Cabrillo State Marine Reserve from less than half a square mile to nearly 16, extending it westward and northward to an area of Sunset Cliffs.
The reason? Kelp, long a chief concern of scientists, fishermen and other ocean-goers.
Like underwater rainforests, kelp forests support hundreds of species that live within and above them and depend on their oxygen. They’re needed for a healthy, biodiverse ecosystem and are believed to help mitigate climate change, but they have been vanishing along the California coast.