From the fjords of Howe Sound to the remote waters of Desolation Sound, the Sunshine Coast encompasses six distinct coastal regions — each with its own ecology, seaweed communities, and cultural history.
A fjord extending from the Strait of Georgia to Squamish, surrounded by rugged mountains and dotted with islands. The diverse marine environment supports a rich variety of seaweeds across its rocky shores, sandy beaches, and sheltered inlets.
Howe Sound has been the focus of significant kelp restoration projects. Bull Kelp (Nereocystis luetkeana) forests have been declining due to sea urchin overgrazing, prompting community-led restoration initiatives involving kelp transplanting and urchin removal.
The seaweeds and marine ecosystems documented in this guide exist within the traditional territories of Indigenous peoples who have stewarded these waters for countless generations. Their traditional ecological knowledge has been invaluable in preserving the marine biodiversity of the Sunshine Coast.