Congressman Jared Huffman and Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) have reintroduced the Help Our Kelp Act, which was first introduced by Merkley in September 2023. The bill would establish a grant program through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to fund conservation, restoration, and management of kelp forests. The legislation authorizes $5 million in annual funding through 2030.
“Healthy kelp ecosystems are essential not only to the stability and survival hundreds of marine species, but also to protecting coastlines, generating income for coastal communities, and supporting sustainable fisheries,” Huffman said in a press release. “As we continue to see the decline of these ecosystems due to climate change, it’s urgent that Congress steps in and passes much-needed federal assistance to help counter these challenges in our oceans. With this bill, we can take an important step toward improving and recovering conditions for kelp and other marine life before it’s too late.”
Co-sponsors in the Senate include Senators Angus King (I-ME), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Alex Padilla (D-CA), and Adam Schiff (D-CA).
The legislation is supported by the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Center for the Blue Economy, Seattle Aquarium, Blue Frontier, Noyo Center for Marine Science, Ocean Conservancy, Greater Farallones Association, Oregon Kelp Alliance, Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission, American Sportfishing Association, Surfrider Foundation, The Nature Conservancy, and The Bay Foundation.