A healthy kelp ecosystem provides nursery habitat for a wide range of nearshore fish and shellfish species. Explore the unique diversity and abundance of Oregon’s kelp ecosystem
Rockfish and More!
Kelp forests are essential habitat for a myriad of rockfish species, greenling, topsmelt, lincod and even salmon during some stages of their life history. Kelp habitat is the foundation of many valuable commercial and recreational fisheries in Oregon.
Copper Rockfish 
Quillback Rockfish 
China Rockfish 
Lingcod 
Grass Rockfish 
Pile Perch in Kelp 
Tiger Rockfish 
Vermillion Rockfish 
Yelloweye Rockfish 
Yellowtail Rockfish 
Topsmelt in Kelp 
Kelp Greenling 
Deacon Rockfish 
Copper Rockfish 
China Rockfish 
Canary Rockfish 
Brown Rockfish 
Blue Rockfish 
Black Rockfish 
Kelp Perch
Invertebrate Diversity!
The diversity of invertebrates in kelp forests is astounding! Bristle worms, scud, prawn, snails, brittle stars, sea urchins, sea stars, anemones, crabs, jellyfish and more!
Brooding Anemone on Bull Kelp 
Sheep Crab and Anemone 
Sunflower Sea Star 
Anemones 
Anemone with Urchin 
Red Urchin 
Topsnail on Kelp 
Starfish 
Jellyfish in Kelp
Oregon Nearshore Strategy
Oregon’sNearshore Strategy is a conservation document addressing the long-term ecological integrity of Oregon’s nearshore marine resources.. This guiding document also identifies Strategy Species Bull Kelp and Native Eelgrass are listed as a Strategy Species and both are also listed as an Essential Habitat for ground fish and salmon under the Pacific Fishery Management Council. Click on the image below to learn more about some Strategy Species:
Cabezon 
Topsmelt 
Eelgrass 
Bull Kelp
Return to The Kelp Ecosystem