Kelp Forest

Catalina San Clemente Island Underwater Photography

Kelp Forest Redux – San Clemente and Catalina Islands, and My Circular Fisheye

"Redux" is a bit of an overstatement, since Southern California's giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera), which has not looked good in recent years, is certainly not recovered. Spotty, stands of kelp here and there, but much of the vast, magnificent underwater forests at San Clemente Island and Catalina have been in…

Phil CollaJanuary 8, 2022

Catalina Underwater Photography

Giant Black Sea Bass, Stereolepis gigas, in the California Kelp Forest

Giant black sea bass, endangered species, reaching up to 8' in length and 500 lbs, amid giant kelp forest Image ID: 33354 Species: Giant Black Sea Bass, Stereolepis gigas Location: Catalina Island, California, USA Giant black sea bass, gathering in a mating - courtship aggregation amid kelp forest, Catalina Island…

Phil CollaAugust 7, 2017

La Jolla Underwater Life Underwater Photography

Photographing Macrocystis in La Jolla’s Beautiful Forests of Giant Kelp

I have been photographing kelp forests in California with a passion for 25 years, from the Mexican border on up to Monterey including all the Channel Islands. Usually when I go diving in kelp its to San Clemente Island, which arguably has the most beautiful underwater scenery anywhere in California.…

Phil CollaJuly 6, 2015

Aerial Photography California San Clemente Island

The Disappearing Kelp Forests of San Clemente Island

I was recently diving at San Clemente Island. The profound lack of giant kelp forests was a striking contrast to what I am used to seeing over 25 years of diving at the island. Under ideal conditions, giant kelp can grow about 2' per day (the fastest growing plant on…

Phil CollaMay 30, 2015