Kenan Chan is a biological science technician and lead diver at the Channel Islands National Park, where he’s spent the past decade exploring one of the wildest underwater worlds on the planet. From massive kelp forests to crystal-clear waters buzzing with marine life, he’s seen it all—while keeping a close eye on the ecosystems that make this place so special. Here, he shares insights from his years monitoring the islands.
Courtesy of Kenan Chan
The Channel Islands are often called the “Galápagos of North America.” What makes them so biologically unique?
The waters surrounding the park are extremely productive and are able to support large breeding colonies of pinnipeds and seabirds. These rich waters are home to commercially viable species, such as the California spiny lobster, market squid, red sea urchins, and many finfish that are caught and exported around the world. Abalone, large marine snails, also call these waters home, including both the white and black abalone, which are listed as critically endangered.
Above water, the park is equally impressive with species like the small island fox, island scrub jay, and the Santa Cruz Island dudleya, which are all endemic. The Channel Islands are also an important location for conservation efforts. There have been many success stories of bringing species back from the brink of extinction or eradicating non-native plants and animals that negatively impacted the ecosystem. The Chumash tribe has called these islands home for thousands of years, so the islands hold a lot of cultural importance as well.
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You’re in the water nearly every day. What have you come across that surprised you?
Many of us who do this type of work have trained our entire lives for it. One of the important things we do in our annual monitoring is quantify species and track changes in the ecosystem in both intertidal and subtidal areas. Our work over the last 40 years has enabled us to track things like the introduction of invasive species of algae. Seeing the first appearance of Undaria pinnatifida off Anacapa Island was surprising, and while not something any of us wanted to encounter, it was a dive I will always remember.
Another rare experience was seeing a critically endangered white abalone near one of our permanent monitoring sites. For many of us, this was the first time we had seen a wild specimen.
Courtesy of Kenan Chan
What do you think people most often misunderstand about Marine Protected Areas, or ocean conservation efforts in general?
We often think of MPAs as no-take zones, however, that is not the case for all areas. Fundamentally, MPAs were created in order to delegate areas where species can grow without added pressure from humans, creating a refuge for species like lobster to grow and spawn, thereby helping restock the surrounding areas that are not under any protection.
Here at the Channel Islands, we can see more and larger lobster at some of these protected sites. The results are visible. During lobster season, you can see lobster trap buoys forming the delineation of the MPA line. These areas were not created to punish those of us who enjoy fishing, rather, they were established to help ensure we continue to be able to fish and enjoy the resources.
Do you have a favorite marine animal that lives in or around the Channel Islands? What makes it special to you?
Abalone. These are large marine snails that eat algae. While they are still a snail, they can be quite fast when trying to escape a predator or if they sense food. Finding an abalone during the surveys is always like finding a little hidden treasure. The juveniles we encounter can be thumbnail-sized, so seeing them can require a trained eye. It can be hard to think of a snail as being charismatic, but I would argue these snails are actually pretty cute if you take a look at their “faces.”
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What’s your favorite dive spot in the park?
One of my favorites is one of the most accessible and visited by dive charter boats. Cathedral Cove is located on the front side of Anacapa, and it has a large sandy cove surrounded by sloping rock that is covered with kelp. I love swimming just on the edge of the sandy part, peeking out of the kelp and looking at the clear blue water as light beams pour down between the kelp blades above.
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For people who want to visit, what’s your advice for doing it responsibly?
The Channel Islands are an incredibly beautiful place to visit, however, it is important for people to remember it’s remote. The weather can be different than the mainland, with wind and much cooler conditions.
There are reservation campsites on each island where you can explore miles of trails. Keep your eyes out for endemic species like the island fox, brought back from the brink of extinction, thanks to the hard work of scientists and conservationists. You may spot bald eagles, which for decades had gone locally extinct as a result of chemicals like DDT, but thanks to a successful reintroduction program are breeding once again on the islands.
Also, be prepared to be self-sufficient. There are no stores or food on the islands. Pack in, pack out.
