Ah yes, the ol’ otter–urchin–kelp relationship. Ever heard of it? It’s a classic example of a ‘top-down trophic cascade,’ where a keystone species shapes an entire ecosystem. Okay yes, this is a sea lion. But stick with us. Sea otters were hunted to near extinction during the fur trade and were wiped out along the West Coast of North America by the early 1900s. Without otters to eat them, urchin populations exploded, overgrazing kelp forests and leaving behind urchin barrens. Now, we’re seeing a similar story in Australia, but this time, climate change is the culprit. Warming waters are pushing urchins south into kelp forests around New South Wales and Tasmania. Their overgrazing is devastating both ecosystems and the livelihoods of those who depend on them. The good news is that urchins are surprisingly tasty — and culling efforts in both regions are trying to turn them into a sustainable seafood option! Would you try a sea urchin? Photo by Cristina "Mitty" Mittermeier #OceanSchool #Otter #SeaUrchin #Kelp #BC #Explore (fb)

Do you remember Sweet Girl, the young humpback whale? Last year, moore_rachel captured a photo of her eye that went viral just days before she was fatally struck by a ferry in French Polynesia. Her story sparked headlines and a petition with nearly 50,000 signatures calling for boat speed limits in whale-sensitive areas. Unfortunately, the government still hasn’t acted. Every year, humpbacks travel to French Polynesia to give birth, rest, and mate. But fast-moving ferries cut through these same waters, putting whales in danger. French Polynesia has long been a global leader in ocean conservation. All we’re asking is for regulations to slow ferry traffic during humpback season in areas where whales are commonly found. With the UN Ocean Conference (UNOC) just weeks away, French Polynesia is preparing to announce new marine protections—yet speed limits aren’t mentioned. Now is the time to speak up. Help us tell the government why protecting whales matters! Email: cabpr@presidence.pf�moetai.brotherson@presidence.pf Photos by moore_rachel #FrenchPolynesia #SweetGirlLivesOn #SaveTheWhales #Explore (fb)