The health of Norway’s kelp forests is in your hands.
The crisis
Overfishing, climate change and pollution have allowed the sea urchin to explode in population, overgrazing our vital kelp forests that used to stretch throughout the entire coast of Norway. The once lush, vibrant and bountiful ecosystem has collapsed into a near lifeless, desert-like barren state, where only sea urchins manage to survive. Without intervention, these urchins will keep the ocean floor lifeless and barren for decades or even centuries.
Why kelp forests are important
Kelp forests are one of the most important ecosystems we have on the planet. Together with marshlands and floodplains, kelp forests are the most dynamic, diverse and biologically rich ecosystems. They are the foundation of our entire marine ecosystem and are priceless in terms of our ocean´s ability to bind and sequester carbon and keep our planet cool. Kelp forests, despite providing nearly 10x more ecosystem services than tropical forests, are disappearing 4x faster!
Our engagement
Tarevoktere was formed in 2019 to help organize and conduct clearing events to remove overgrazing sea urchins, which in turn allows kelp forests to recover to their original state.
Inspired by similar movements in California, Tasmania and Japan our focus is to restore previously rich coastal ecosystems.
In Norway, kelp forests can recover in as fast as 6 months. Along with the kelp, we can see an immediate return of micro predators that live on the kelp and eat urchin larvae, breaking the vicious cycle of urchin barrens. The micro predators in turn become prey for larger fish and crustaceans, bringing the ecosystem diversity back. Over time, it returns to what it looked like before human activity like overfishing and human induced climate change and pollution, allowed urchins to explode in population.
Tarevoktere is a voluntary organization managed by Juni Bjørneset, Ida Søhol and Ada Derdowska Pedersen. In 2024, there are four diving clubs involved in the project; Studentenes Undervannsklubb, Tromsø Undervannsklubb, Lofoten Undervannsklubb og Harstad Sportsdykkeklubb. The work is supported by researchers from the Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA).
“Instead of looking for hope, look for action. Then, and only then, hope will come.”
— Greta Thunberg
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