Posted by seahunt on December 23, 2002 at 09:05:45:
All who love the kelp forest must regret the passing of one of its greatest
advocates. Wheeler J. North has died at age 80. He is the GrandDaddy of all
kelp researchers. Not only did he do most of the initial research on Kelp,
but his techniques for laboratory culturing of kelp and for kelp re-forestation,
are still in use today. He also taught other researchers to use scuba and
helped make scuba into a standard tool of science.
Mr. North started diving in the San Diego area when it was untouched. He
saw and described the reefs when they were in pristine conditions. One of
his favorite places was La Jolla Cove.
If I may offer my opinion, from reading some of his work, I can sure say
something about him being thourough. From what I know of the man, I think
he would claim to be a dive bum.
seahunt