Name: Garibaldi
Information: Think of them as the rain forests of the sea. Giant kelp can grow to 100 feet and can, amazingly, grow up to a foot a day. The giant kelp is one of the largest kelp found in the ocean. They tend to grow in offshore colder waters to 60 ft. in depth. The bigger kelp forests of Southern California are located off Santa Barbara and Point Loma. Kelp forests offer shelter for young fishes and many invertebrates, such as sea urchins, sea stars, snails and crabs. Sea otters thrive in these forests. They can find their favorite foods on the forest floor, then take an afternoon nap in the forest's golden canopy — often wrapped in a flexible stem or two to keep from drifting away. Giant kelp is harvested as a source of algin, a binding agent used in the production of many foods and cosmetics, like ice cream, toothpaste and cereals. For more information visit: Star Thrower NOAA Marine Life NOAA Sanctuaries