Seal Bull Kelp Nereocystis luetkeana Bull kelp is the fastest growing seaweed in the world. By winter, the kelp are dying. The decomposing kelp provides food and beach shelter for scavenging amphipods and other animals. On almost any rocky shore along Puget Sound, clusters of bull kelp can be seen offshore, growing in the subtidal zone.
Kelp beds provide a resting area for otters, gulls, herons, shorebirds, and waterfowl.
Underwater kelp forests shelter snails, crabs, shrimp, starfish, sea anemones, sea cucumbers, brittle stars, sea squirts, and many other marine creatures. Bull kelp, Salt Creek County Park, Clallam County. Bull Kelp Facts Grows Quickly Entire growth occurs spring to fall, up to 2 feet per day. Can grow to 200 feet in ocean waters, but in protected Puget Sound, bull kelp often reaches 20 feet. Huge Holdfasts Attaches to rocks below low tide level with holdfasts bigger than your hand, up to 16 inches wide.