The Issue

On the northern coast of California kelp forests have decreased by 93% of normal. Higher sea surface temperatures in recent years have limited kelp growth, and sea star wasting disease has removed a key predator of purple sea urchins, a veracious eater of kelp. Though our waters have cooled this past year, the explosion of the purple urchin population—60 times higher than normal—and has prevented the kelp forests from recovering from these multiple blows. The effects of the kelp forest loss reach from the ocean to the shore. The red abalone fishery, severely impacted by a lack of food, has been closed this year. With less habitat we now have fewer young fish which also means fewer larger fish for marine mammals, such as harbor seals and sea lions. In the nearshore environments, urchin now out compete red abalone and other herbivores for kelp, creating what’s known as an urchin barren.

To find out more details about the issues please go to https://noyocenter.org/help-the-kelp/

Synopsis

Finding Forests tells the story of the northern coast of California, the crash of the Kelp / Abalone populations and a community's journey to protect the coast they love.

The story opens to imagery of the north coast, rocky cliffs, windswept landscapes and lush forests. Then we go underwater, to the hidden world of the ocean. We see a young woman swimming through kelp. Viewers learn about Shelby Kanawa’s connection to the ocean. Her relationship to the ocean started at a young age when her Father taught her to freedive for abalone, the importance of marine ecology and how to respectfully harvest from the ocean. Shelby shares her love for freediving and the way the sport has changed her life and how it has led her to working as a science diver at the local marine lab in Bodega Bay.

Tristan introduces us to the new coastline we see today, a fraction of the life once seen on the reefs / urchin barrens as far the eye can see and the last of the remaining kelp being eaten by both urchins and the few abalone that are left. As we learn about the issues we lean on the work that she is doing with her team in hopes to bring back the kelp forests and protect the coast for future generations.

Eijler, a local boat builder, woodworker and master fisherman shares stories of what this ecosystem used too look like. He reminds us of our roll as stewards and the importance of showing up for not only your community but the whole land/seascapes were we spend our time. We learn about the Harbor house in Elk, Ca. where we meet Matt, a well known Chef, who is adapting to the new climate by harvesting purple urchins to serve his guests. He weaves storytelling with food to connect his guests with the issues we are all facing on the coast.

The film comes to an end with showcasing the way we can get involved, and exploring the dreamscapes of what it could (must) be returned too.

TEASER