The long golden-brown strands of bull kelp that wash up along Washington’s shores might seem like just beach debris, but they ...

Meanwhile, on a rocky ledge 50 feet below, scientists from the ship watch pollacks, cod, and cunners feed among long ribbons of golden kelp. Matthew W. Chwastyk, NGM Staff Cashes Ledge is the ...

and kelp interacted in both areas. Ultimately, there was more species competition off the Golden State, slowing sea otters’ positive impact on the ecosystem. They didn’t have as strong of an ...