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April 17, 2025
Move over kale, a new leafy superstar is stealing the show under the sea. Meet kelp, the underwater wonder that’s not just seaweed, but an essential part of ocean life, marine wellness, and even your skincare routine (yes, really).
Not Quite a Plant, Not Quite a Mystery
At first glance, kelp might seem like a plant; it has root-like holdfasts, stem-like stipes, and leaf-like blades. But surprise: kelp isn’t a plant! It belongs to a completely different kingdom of life called protists. These photosynthetic powerhouses thrive in sunlit waters and grow in towering underwater forests that are as vital as beautiful. Besides being home to diverse sea life, kelp forests are nature’s multitaskers. They pump out oxygen, buffer coastlines from storm surges, and help combat climate change by soaking up carbon from the atmosphere. Think of them as the lungs and climate filters of the sea, all in one swaying, swirly package.
Salish Sea: One of The Kelp Capitals
One of the richest kelp hubs on the planet? You guessed it, the Salish Sea. Our coastal gem is home to a spectacular variety of kelp species that support fish, crabs, sea stars, and countless other marine creatures. Unfortunately, like many ecosystems worldwide, kelp forests here are shrinking fast due to climate change and other environmental pressures.
Kelp, Kelp, Kelp, Kelp for everybody!
Kelp isn’t just for fish. We humans have found plenty of ways to incorporate seaweed into everyday life. Harvested off places like the coast of California using boat-mounted mowers, kelp is turned into all sorts of products: think shampoo, toothpaste, salad dressings, and even your favourite scoop of ice cream. Why? Because it contains natural thickeners like agar, carrageenan, and alginate, it is perfect for creamy textures and glossy finishes.
Whales & Their Seaweed Spa Days
Our beloved gentle giants are known to rub themselves against kelp, and it is called “Kelping.” They use it as a loofah to scrape off pesky barnacles and skin parasites. It’s like a full-body exfoliation, whale-style. Thanks to kelp’s antibacterial and antifungal properties, it even helps soothe and cleanse their skin naturally. Whales sometimes drape kelp over their heads. Humpbacks have facial bumps called tubercles, each housing a sensitive hair that works like a whisker. When kelp brushes over these areas, it likely sends pleasant sensations to the whale’s brain, like a deep-tissue massage. Sometimes, it’s not about grooming or hygiene, it’s just for fun. Humpbacks have been seen tossing, spinning, and rolling around in kelp for pure joy. Playing in kelp could help improve their coordination and maybe even build social bonds, whether alone or with friends. While they don’t eat kelp, whales may still use it in surprising ways. Some researchers suggest they might put kelp in their mouths as floss, cleaning those hard-to-reach spots between their baleen plates after a krill feast.
To learn more about this behaviour, check out our “Kelping” blog!
From ecosystem hero to beauty treatment to whale toy, kelp proves it’s more than just “ocean salad.” It’s essential to the marine world and weirdly connected to ours. Whether you’re a humpback whale looking for a spa day or a human enjoying a creamy dessert, chances are kelp is quietly playing a role behind the scenes. Next time you’re near the ocean, give a nod to the forest beneath the waves. Kelp has a lot going on down there!
