Norway marine restoration project recovers kelp forests

A marine restoration initiative in northern Norway has successfully helped recover underwater kelp forests by removing approximately 100,000 sea urchins. The project, coordinated by Rissa Citizen Science, took place between April 2024 and May 2026 across three coastal sectors: Sørsjetéen, Telegrafbukta, and Øksfjord.

Sea urchins are a natural part of the ecosystem, but excessive populations can create “urchin barrens,” where overgrazing prevents seaweed and kelp from regrowing. By temporarily reducing urchin density in specific areas, the project allowed vegetation to return. In Sørsjetéen, seaweed and kelp recolonized a stretch of approximately 200 meters.

The effort relied on nearly 500 volunteers, including divers and snorkelers, who completed 23 work sessions and accumulated over 20,000 minutes of underwater activity.