Next up in the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum’s (SBMM) Maritime Distinguished Speaker Series is Life Beneath the Waves: Uncovering the Science Behind the Santa Barbara Channel’s Kelp Forest Sanctuaries, 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 16 at 113 Harbor Way, Ste. 190.
The event includes a pre-lecture reception for SBMM members only, 6:15-6:45 p.m.
The talk on kelp systems will explore how scientists are monitoring and protecting California’s marine ecosystems through innovative research tools and collaborative stewardship.
Three researchers from UC Santa Barbara’s Caselle Lab — Katelin Seeto, Chris Honeyman, and Conner Jainese — will explain how their work is shaping the future of ocean conservation in the Santa Barbara Channel.
As part of California’s statewide Marine Protected Area (MPA) network, the 13 MPAs surrounding the Northern Channel Islands protect just over 20 percent of the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary.
The question is: Are they working? That’s what the three scientists hope to uncover.
To monitor the rocky reefs, kelp forests, and deepwater habitats of the region, Caselle Lab uses a multi-method approach:
● SCUBA-based surveys in shallow waters (0–20 meters)
● Hook-and-line fishing at mid-depths (10–50 meters)
● Baited Remote Underwater Video (BRUV) systems in deeper habitats (30–100 meters)
Each method reveals different species and patterns, and when combined, paints a fuller picture of fish community health, biodiversity, and the effectiveness of marine protections, SBMM said.
The talk is free to attend for Navigators Circle members, $10 for SBMM members, $20 for the general public, and $5 for students and educators with a valid school ID or email address. Purchase tickets here, or call 805-456-8750.
The speakers
Seeto has spent over a decade exploring Southern California’s marine ecosystems. A research technician and scientific diver, she is passionate about turning field observations into data that support conservation. She shares her love for ocean science with youth through SBMM’s Maritime on the Move program.
“Every dive reveals something new,” Seeto said. “The more we explore these underwater ecosystems, the more we understand how vital they are, and how urgently they need our protection.”
Honeyman manages the Collaborative Fisheries Research Program and leads long-term MPA monitoring. He partners with anglers, scientists and policymakers to study groundfish populations and inform adaptive management.
Jainese earned his MS in marine science at UCSB studying fish communities using BRUV systems. He now manages long-term video monitoring efforts in mesophotic reefs, and has conducted research on sea bass and offshore oil platform habitats.
“This lecture gives the public a rare look into the cutting-edge science happening right here in the Santa Barbara Channel,” said Emily Falke, SBMM director of Collections and Exhibits/curator. “It’s an incredible opportunity to learn how researchers are using technology and teamwork to safeguard our marine habitats.”
The talk will be accompanied by underwater pictures from the Redwoods of the Sea: Life in the Channel Islands Kelp Forests photography exhibit by Ralph A. Clevenger.
Now on view at SBMM through Jan. 4, the exhibit showcases the beauty and biodiversity of the kelp forests in the Santa Barbara Channel.