Glassy seas. Good wildlife. RIP Kelp farm.
- Bob Perry
- Sep 28
- 2 min read
2025 09–28 SB Channel
Newsflash: the kelp farm is gone. RIP.
Glassy seas prevailed and made for a comfortable ride as the Condor Express observed 3000 common dolphins and two humpback whales today.
The first of three megapods of dolphins was encountered in the exact location where the old kelp farm resided for the last two or three years. (See my note at the end of this report). We had great looks even without all the old buoys and markers. Captain Eddy continued S.
Our first whale was a sub-adult and a lot of fun to watch. It did quite a bit of kelping (See today’s photo for an example), some spy-hopping and showed us its tail flukes nicely.
The second megapod occurred in the lanes, and these dolphins were friendly, and, as the earlier pod, did a lot of surfing in our wake.
We ended up about 5 miles W of Platform Habitat where we had quick looks at a second humpback whale. There was also a third megapod In this area.
You never know what mother nature has in store.
Bob Perry
NOTE: From what I understand, the company that leases a large swath of coastal waters off Santa Barbara to grow giant kelp (Macrocystis spp.) did a test run right outside the Harbor. If the results met their standards, I have heard they plan to greatly expand the mariculture project in the future. Meanwhile, they have removed the original experimental gear. They are not growing kelp to reforest areas where kelp used to grow. It is harvested to manufacture actual products for sale.
