special project
Giant Kelp
We have been asked to keep a look out for the Giant Kelp, as it has been seen once or twice along our coasts and yet is normally not found this far north. If you see any on the beach or when diving, please add your sightings to the Atlas of Life/Naturemapr database: https://atlasoflife.naturemapr.org
Here is one spotted earlier: https://atlasoflife.naturemapr.org/Sightings/4324837 you can clearly see the corrugations on the leaves and the oval shaped floats.
OBSERVATIONS OF GIANT KELP
The message below comes from Dr Cayne Layton, who works with the Institute of Marine and Antarctic Studies in Hobart and is a kelp forest specialist. He's looking for some observations following reports of Giant Kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) washing up near Merimbula. Here's a chance to bring out your inner citizen scientist!
“I’m a kelp forest ecologist from Hobart, but am originally from the south coast of NSW, and ACT. I’ve heard a report of some giant kelp washing up at Merimbula over the weekend, which is very remarkable considering that the closest known population to your area is in western VIC or NE TAS. Just wondering if you’ve heard of any other reports of giant kelp in the area, and/or, if you could please keep an eye out for any over the coming days/weeks.
Once the sightings are confirmed, and if we get some good photos/details, I’m certain that we’ll be able to publish a short article about the observations, since they are very unusual.
I’ve attached a few photos of giant kelp, which shows some important characteristics. Also, some notes:
- A key characteristic is having one float at the base of each leaf. These floats are sometimes short, round and sphere-like, other times they are long and thin, more like a bullet or carrot. Leaves are corrugated.
- They don’t have one thick central stalk, but rather one or more thinner stringy stalks, typically around the around the width of a pinky finger or pen.”
