From the Source Season 2 Episode 9 Kelp

From the Source season 2 episode 9, titled Kelp, takes us on a journey to explore the world of kelp, the large seaweed found in cold waters along coastlines all over the world. Kelp is not only an important source of food for people and animals, but it also plays a vital role in the ocean ecosystem as a habitat for many species of aquatic life.

The episode begins by introducing us to the San Francisco Bay Area-based seaweed harvesting company, Restorative Ocean Farms, which is on a mission to promote sustainable seaweed farming. We meet the founder Bren Smith, who takes us on a tour of his kelp farm, where he explains the environmental benefits of seaweed farming and how it can help to combat climate change.

Next, we are taken on a deep dive into the scientific study of kelp forests. Dr. Kai Matsumiya, a marine ecologist, takes us on a journey to the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary in Washington State, where he and his team conduct research on the health of kelp forests. Matsumiya explains how kelp forests support a diverse ecosystem of plants and animals, and how changes in ocean temperature and acidity due to climate change are impacting the health of these forests.

The episode then shifts to a more personal perspective as we meet Tasha Goldberg, a California-based chef who specializes in creating plant-based cuisine using locally-sourced ingredients. Goldberg takes us on a trip to the Mendocino coast, where she collects fresh kelp from the ocean to use in her cooking. She demonstrates how kelp can be used to create a variety of delicious dishes, from kelp noodles to kelp chips.

Finally, we meet biologist Jared Diamond, who takes us on a journey to the Aleutian Islands in Alaska, where kelp is a vital source of food for the native sea otters. Diamond explains how the decline in sea otter populations due to over-hunting in the 18th and 19th centuries had a devastating impact on the kelp forests, as otters play a key role in keeping sea urchin populations, which feed on kelp, in check. Diamond and his team conduct research to better understand the relationship between sea otters, kelp forests, and the various other species that depend on them.

Overall, From the Source season 2 episode 9, Kelp, is a fascinating exploration of the many ecological and culinary uses of this important sea vegetable and the challenges it faces in an ever-changing world. It offers a unique, multi-perspective look at kelp, delving into the science behind it, the culinary possibilities it presents, and its crucial role in the ocean ecosystem.