Behind the beauty of the Two Oceans Aquarium’s kelp forest lies a dedicated team of divers and aquarists whose careful planning and teamwork ensure that every strand of kelp thrives long after it’s brought ashore.
Cape Town, South Africa (03 November 2025) – Before visitors even step into the Two Oceans Aquarium to admire the beautiful kelp forest exhibit, there’s already a lot of work happening behind the scenes to keep it healthy and alive.
It all starts with a small team of divers heading out to sea to collect fresh kelp. It’s a task that requires patience and teamwork. Once the kelp is collected, the divers make sure it’s safely secured on the boat and kept moist throughout the trip. This helps protect it from damage and ensures that it arrives back at the aquarium in the best possible condition.
Once they are back on land, the work does not stop there. Senior aquarist Simon Brill and collection officer Matthew Radford lead the next step. Carefully transferring the kelp from the boat into the kelp forest exhibit. The process takes several hands, from calling in available aquarists over the radio to gently carrying and lifting the kelp into the hoist box that moves it to the top of the exhibit.
It is a massive team effort that relies on planning and coordination. Every person involved plays a key role in making sure the kelp settles safely into its new home, helping to maintain one of the aquarium’s most loved and iconic displays.
To see how the whole process comes together, you can watch the full behind-the-scenes video on the Two Oceans Aquarium YouTube channel.
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