Over the past few decades, overgrazing by native short spined sea urchins (Heliocidaris erythrogramma) has led to urchin barrens replacing important kelp and macroalgae habitat in large areas of Port Phillip, Victoria, with approximately 60% of all rocky reefs (by area) impacted (Johnson et al. 2015). Interventions including removal of sea urchins and kelp outplanting can support the rehabilitation of kelp forests (Eger et al. 2022).
Over the past two years, The Nature Conservancy, together with The University of Melbourne, Deakin University and Parks Victoria, has spearheaded the first ever, at-scale golden kelp (Ecklonia radiata) restoration efforts in Victoria. Building on 15+ years of research, this collaborative project, funded by the Victorian Government, aimed to develop scalable solutions to reverse the loss of golden kelp and macroalgae habitat in Port Phillip, by cultivating and outplanting golden kelp, and reducing overabundant urchins to healthy levels, via targeted culling.
Active restoration methods included green gravel (Fredriksen et al. 2020), seeded twine, and transplanting established kelp from healthy populations. Outplanted kelp successfully attached to the reef substrate and after seven months were approximately 20 cm high and developing lateral lamina. This presentation will provide an overview of project outcomes, results, and lessons learnt.