Science Pub: Restoring Coastal Kelp Forests

At Dargan's Irish Pub & Restaurant, 18 E. Ortega Street

In 1983, El Niño scoured the seabed off the Central Coast, displacing rocks that previously anchored Giant Kelp. Human-made barriers in the watershed have prevented new rocks from reaching the coast, keeping our waters low on the materials kelp needs to grow. Come learn from Chris Goldblatt, founder of the Fish Reef Project, about the success of the 16 one-ton Sea Cave® reef units his team has deployed off Goleta. He'll explain how these artificial reefs were designed to be ideal for kelp, fish, and marine invertebrates, and how they are helping rebuild our historic kelp forests in a time of crisis. Learn about research findings connected to the restoration, and the Fish Reef Project’s plans to expand.

Chris Goldblatt is a pioneer of the sustainable seafood movement with 25 years of experience in small-scale commercial fishing and global seafood trading. An avid freediver and spearfisherman, he received his B.S. in fisheries and business at Cal Poly Humboldt in 1998. As the executive director of the Fish Reef Project, he oversees kelp and coral restoration projects at multiple sites around the world. He is an environmental consultant on deep-sea mining, and has advocated in international forums for the creation of reefs to mitigate deep-sea mining impacts.

No tickets or reservations needed, but note that Science Pub is a popular program. Early birds get good seats, order food and drink at leisure, and enjoy a raffle to support science education and win Museum swag. Arriving close to 6:30 may land you in an overflow room or without a seat.

This event is part of the Museum’s ongoing Science Pub series of free science talks held on the second Monday of every month. For more information about Science Pub, contact Kelsey Perry at kperry@sbnature2.org.

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