Date of Award

5-2026

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

College/School

College of Science and Mathematics

Department/Program

Biology

Thesis Sponsor/Dissertation Chair/Project Chair

Colette Feehan

Committee Member

Matthew Schuler

Committee Member

Sean Grace

Abstract

Kelp forests provide essential habitat structure and energy pathways in temperate nearshore ecosystems. Yet, our understanding of their economic contribution to commercial fisheries remains uneven across regions. This study quantified kelp-associated fishery revenues across the geographical distribution of kelp in the northeastern United States, including the Gulf of Maine and northern Virginian Atlantic ecoregions. To quantify kelp-associated revenue, I integrated reported revenue data across 2000–2024 for seven major fisheries species (American lobster Homarus americanus, cunner Tautogolabrus adspersus, Jonah crab Cancer borealis, pollock Pollachius virens, Atlantic cod Gadus morhua, Atlantic wolffish Anarhichas lupus, and green sea urchin Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis) with their Habitat Dependency Index (HDI), which estimates species-specific dependence on kelp through feeding, shelter, and reproduction. Kelp-associated revenue was concentrated in a small number of species, with American lobster being the dominant revenue-producing species. I determined that a continued decline of kelp habitat at the current estimated rate of 2% loss year-1 may result in annual revenue losses of $$65 million by 2050. By contrast, meeting the Convention on Biological Diversity’s target of conserving and restoring 30% of marine habitat could increase annual revenue by $$48 million. Together, these results show that kelp forests underpin economically important fisheries, and that their continued loss or recovery will have direct consequences for coastal economies.

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