pruning kelp at a reef break?

[jondrums]

What do people think about going out with a snorkel and a dive knife on a calm day and pruning some of the prolific California kelp around a few good takeoff spots at a reef break? 

As far as foiling goes - I've found that once you're on a wave, getting over top and around the kelp patches is totally doable and actually pretty fun.  But lining up to catch the wave is brutal - the water drops in front of the wave and all the kelp pops up to grab you.

I'm a bit torn about it, and I'm looking for other people's opinions:
1) would doing this even be legal?  enforceable?  Lots of people prune trees and bushes in the summer for good backcountry ski runs on national forrest land and the like.  It isn't legal, but it would be almost impossible to get caught.  And it really does improve the enjoyment for the trail users
2) cutting away kelp *would* be effecting a habitat for all kinds of sea life.  But oh my god there is miles and miles of kelp out there and so few premium reef breaks that need clearing

What say you all?

[jondrums]

looks like one can get a permit for kelp harvesting - though 10 pounds a day could take a while
https://wildlife.ca.gov/Fishing/Ocean/Regulations/Sport-Fishing/Marine-Plants

[surfcowboy]

I'd wager boats do more than you ever could. But 10 lbs a day could get you a couple of decent take offs with just a few days of effort. I'd assume you're not taking out a 100 yard swath, right?

I'm curious to hear what comes from folks on this one.

[Beasho]

We, the foil crew, regularly whack the heads off the kelp where we foil.  At first it seems futile.  But after a few weeks it thins the kelp out on the major takeoff spots.

I have left 1 kelp head that I used for spotting a good takeoff spot.  But the waves eventually took that out. 

Kelp grows on Rock. This means that there are NOT an infinite number of takeoff spots like you might find on a beach break.  Just a few good ones that need to be cleared.  This applies to the Bull Kelp that has a floating head.  The stuff in Santa Cruz that is 50 feet long and leafy under that water - Lights Out.  I am not sure how you would deal with that.

[Tom]

For several decades San Diego had company named Kelco that harvested kelp by the ton. Many studies confirmed they did not affect the environment because kelp grows so fast. In fact it is the fastest growing plant on earth. Kelco move to Ireland several years ago.

[808sup]

I doubt you would have any realistic success as it can grow as much as 50cm a day.
You could harvest it before you surf but unless you drug it back to the beach it would be floating randomly in the lineup making it even worse.
Maybe just get Pono and others to mow it down with their E foils. I’m sure one of them is capable of attaching a mower deck to his.🤔

[Dusk Patrol]

Sharpen up the kelp wings boys...

[clay]

Curious about thoughts on this also.

Most of Santa Cruz is unfoilable because of the kelp.
Beginning of fall cowells is mine field on the first couple big swells.  Takes a day or so to clear out of the lineup.

Seems like swells will tear up the kelp anyway, what's the harm in going out the day before and clearing a 20 yard take off zone?  If this was destructive to the ecosystem I would say no way.