May Newsletter

Weeds of the Sea

Your only experience with seaweed may have been when it got tangled around your leg when you were swimming in the ocean. But did you know that seaweed is not a weed at all. It is actually a form of algae that plays an integral role in the lives of every living thing in this world. Seaweed can be found as an ingredient in everyday items, including toothpaste, shampoo, flour, macaroni and cheese, make-up and even flaming hot Cheetos! Seaweed proteins, also known as carageenan or algin, is an emulsifer or thickening agent. The sugars from this algae help to keep your ice cream from getting clumpy and make your mac and chesse extra creamy. Giant kelp, a common type of seaweed found off the coast of CA, helps reduce the afternoon chop of the waves from the wind that surfers often complain about while providing shelter and food for the local marine animals. This specific type of seaweed can grow up to one foot per day! Seaweed also provides every breathing thing over 75% of the oxygen needed to survive. So, these “weeds” are actually vitally important to animal survival.
However, numerous kelp forests are in danger. Pollution from storm drains and run-off kill this algae. So what can you do to help? Simple, care for the earth. Throw your trash in the trash can, recycle, bring in reusable bags, pick up trash, the list goes on. I bet you didn’t know that these little lifestyle changes really do help you breath a little better! So, next time you get your leg wrapped around a piece of kelp, embrace it and be thankful for this amazing “weed.”