The kelp harvesting vessel "Ocean Rose" at work along the giant kelp beds (Macrocystis pyrifera) off the Santa Barbara coast.  The "Ocean Rose" and its sister ship "Ocean Harvest" gather kelp to feed abalones (Haliotis sp.) being farmed at Cayucos, California.  This is the only reason kelp is harvested these days.
A closer look at the kelp harvesting vessel "Ocean Harvest" gathering giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) off the Santa Barbara coast.  The "Ocean Harvest" and its sister ship "Ocean Rose" gather kelp to feed abalones (Haliotis sp.) being farmed at Cayucos, California.  This is the only reason kelp is harvested these days.
One of two images of the kelp harvesting vessel "Ocean Harvest" at work along the giant kelp beds (Macrocystis pyrifera) off the Santa Barbara coast.  The "Ocean Harvest" and its sister ship "Ocean Rose" gather kelp to feed abalones (Haliotis sp.) being farmed at Cayucos, California.  This is the only reason kelp is harvested these days.
abstract - clouds reflected on ocean surface 2013 02-16 SB Channel-b-012
abstract - clouds reflected on ocean surface 2013 02-16 SB Channel-a-011
A small school of bait fish is being attacked by a mass of sea birds in a feeding hot spot.  The Santa Barbara light "house" (white tower) is seen on the top of the cliff.
vessel kelp cutter Ocean Harvest 2012 12-28 SB Harbor-015
rain squall open ocean 2012 12-22 SB Channel-a-093
Light and dark cloud patterns on the ocean surface.
The kelp harvesting vessel "Ocean Rose" at work along the giant kelp beds (Macrocystis pyrifera) off the Santa Barbara coast. The "Ocean Rose" and its sister ship "Ocean Harvest" gather kelp to feed abalones (Haliotis sp.) being farmed at Cayucos, California. This is the only reason kelp is harvested these days.
The kelp harvesting vessel "Ocean Rose" at work along the giant kelp beds (Macrocystis pyrifera) off the Santa Barbara coast. The "Ocean Rose" and its sister ship "Ocean Harvest" gather kelp to feed abalones (Haliotis sp.) being farmed at Cayucos, California. This is the only reason kelp is harvested these days.
See photo in original gallery.