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Caspar Cove Project
Preserving Caspar Cove
Blue Harmony’s support of the Caspar Cove Project is dedicated to combating the effects of ocean climate change by conserving the diverse ecosystem of Northern California’s Caspar Cove. Through community engagement, sustainable practices, and advocacy for environmental protection, we strive to restore balance to this critical marine habitat. The Caspar Cove Project, part of the Waterman’s Alliance Sea Urchin Removal Event, was born from a shared passion for ocean conservation among dedicated water enthusiasts. Recognizing the urgent need to address the rapid loss of kelp forests—a direct impact of ocean climate change—the local community united with a mission to take action and restore the health of this vital ecosystem.
Collaborative Efforts to Combat Kelp Loss
Groups like the Watermen’s Alliance, Reef Check, the Nature Conservancy, CA Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Ocean Protection Council, Humboldt State University, Blue Harmony, California Sea Grant, and other local organizations and stakeholders have mobilized to work together to find possible pathways for human intervention in mitigating kelp loss caused by ocean climate change.
On May 10, 2018, an emergency, temporary regulation change went into effect, which increased the daily recreational bag limit for purple sea urchins from 35 individuals to 20 gallons, taken only while skin diving or SCUBA diving in state waters off Mendocino and Sonoma. Almost a year later, on February 25, 2019, the Fish and Game Commission adopted a regular rule-making change that increased the daily recreational bag limit for purple sea urchins from 20 gallons to 40 gallons, taken only while skin or SCUBA diving off Humboldt, Mendocino, and Sonoma state waters.
Origins of the Caspar Cove Project
The inaugural Caspar Cove Project community event occurred in 2020, when a small group of volunteers, led by Joshua Russo from Watermen’s Alliance, gathered at Caspar Cove armed with diving gear and determination. Guided by their commitment to restoring balance to marine ecosystems, they set out to remove excess sea urchins by “in-water culling” from the cove, one dive at a time.
Growing the Caspar Cove Project
Since then, the Caspar Cove Project has grown into a community-driven initiative, drawing participants from all walks of life who share a common goal: to protect and preserve our ocean’s precious resources. Year after year, volunteers return to Caspar Cove, eager to make a difference and contribute to the ongoing conservation efforts. Despite considerable challenges, there remains hope for restoring and conserving bull kelp forests and the diverse ecosystems they support. We can work towards a healthier, more resilient marine environment for future generations through collaborative efforts and community engagement.