Help Our Kelp Act of 2025

The Help Our Kelp Act of 2025 establishes a federal grant program to fund projects restoring and conserving wild kelp forests. It directs the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to award grants to eligible groups - including fishing industry members, tribes, nonprofits, and local governments - for projects addressing regional kelp decline, enhancing ecosystem resilience, removing sea urchins that harm kelp, and integrating Indigenous knowledge. Projects must include collaboration among eligible entities and meet specific criteria, with grants covering up to 85% of costs (allowing waivers for tribes). The bill authorizes $5 million annually (2026-2030), reserving at least $750,000 yearly for tribal-led projects.