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Credit: MARCO
Credit: NOAA Fisheries
Credit: Alaska Bering Sea Crabbers

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 

Ocean Acidification Program

Our mission is to better prepare society to respond to ocean, coastal and Great Lakes acidification by fostering transdisciplinary research, education, and outreach.

Our ocean is changing

Acidification is happening now along our oceans and coasts

People are already seeing the impacts of ocean acidification on marine life and ecosystems they depend on. NOAA’s Ocean Acidification Program better prepares society to respond to ocean, coastal and Great Lakes acidification by fostering research and through partnerships.

Read more about ocean acidification

Why we study ocean acidification

We study ocean acidification to track where and how fast our ocean’s chemistry is changing, allowing us to forecast and prepare for impacts now and in the future.

The trifecta for OA research: sensitivity, environment, and human dimensions
Krill sitting on a fingertip with a dark background.
Credit: NOAA Sancturaries

Understanding the biological response to changing waters helps protect the economically, ecologically, and culturally important marine species we rely on.

OA Buoy deployed in Fagatele Bay, American Samoa
Credit: NOAA Fisheries

Researching and monitoring ocean acidification translates into practical tools and strategies that help people prepare for and adapt to its impacts.

A man pulling in a cage of Dungeness crab
Credit: Benjamin Drummond

Sharing our research empowers our partners and communities to build resilience against the effects of ocean acidification.

OAP Happenings

Crew members in hardhats and safety vests gather on a ship deck next to a large blue buoy for a pre-deployment meeting.
OA News

Beneath the surface: what buoys reveal about ocean acidification

October 14, 2026

A full view of a sea scallop sitting on top of a pile of sea scallops shells.

Federal Funding

Enhancing the adaptive capacity of the Atlantic sea scallop fishery

A satellite map of the Chesapeake Bay region. The waterways are color coded to show degrees of alkalinity, with the general trend of higher alkalinity upriver and lower alkalinity toward the ocean.

Federal Funding

OA adaptation strategies for shellfish aquaculture in the Chesapeake Bay

Satellite view of the Mississippi River plume in the Gulf of America. You can see sediment discharging into the Gulf. Credit: NASA

Federal Funding

Assessing ocean and coastal acidification resilience in Louisiana

Latest News

View all news

OA News

Improving Ocean Carbon Measurements with Atlantic Seawater Reference Materials

September 28, 2026

A cylindrical aquarium lit from the top with fish, invertebrates and kelp.
Job Postings

Job opportunity: External evaluator for OA education mini-grants

September 25, 2026

Colorful homes on a hill next to the coastline with white-capped waves in the ocean.
OA News

Soliciting presentations at ASLO 2027 Aquatic Sciences Meeting

September 10, 2026

A graphic map of the Gulf of America with icons and short text about causes, processes and effects of acidification.
Webinars

Tracking acidification in the Gulf – a new story map

August 11, 2026

Changing Waters Video Thumbnail
OA News

Virtual screening of “Changing Waters: Time for Action on Coastal Acidification”

April 24, 2026

Ocean Acidification by the Numbers

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25%

of the earth’s atmospheric carbon dioxide is absorbed by the ocean yearly

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8.1

current global surface ocean pH, which has become 25% more acidic since the 1700s

Gridded globe with an arrow pointing towards the center
26%

global increase in acidity over the past 250 years

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10

regions where OAP is observing ocean acidification

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16

OAP-supported buoys in NOAA’s Ocean Acidification Observing Network (NOA-ON)

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23

research expeditions observing ocean acidification since 2011

Ocean Acidification Program Logo

Explore ways to get involved

The NOAA Ocean Acidification Program aims to provide information communities need across the nation. Explore our resources, collaborate on cutting-edge research, participate in educational initiatives, and take action to build ocean resilience in your community.

Opportunities in your region

Bioeconomic modeling to inform Alaska fisheries management

Fishing Dock in Juneau Alaska
Image credit: Allen Shimada, NOAA NMFS

Bioeconomic models are a multidisciplinary tool that use oceanography, fisheries science and social science to assess socioeconomic impacts. Funded by the Ocean Acidification Program, researchers at the Alaska Fisheries Science Center use a bioeconomic model to study the impacts of ocean acidification on Eastern Bering Sea crab, northern rock sole and Alaska cod. The goal is to predict how ocean acidification will affect abundance yields and income generated by the fisheries. This work informs the potential economic impacts of ocean acidification and future decision making and research planning.

More about this work

Effects of ocean acidification and temperature on Alaskan crabs

Red King Crab
Image credit: David Csepp, NMFS AKFSC ABL

Long-term declines of red king crab in Bristol Bay, Alaska may be partially attributed to ocean acidification conditions. These impacts may be partially responsible for the fishery closures during the 2021–2022 and 2022–2023 seasons. Researchers found that ocean acidification negatively impacts Alaskan crabs generally by changing physiological processes, decreasing growth, increasing death rates and reducing shell thickness. Funded by the Ocean Acidification Program, scientists at the Alaska Fisheries Science Center continue to investigate the responses of early life history stages and study the potential of various Alaska crabs to acclimate to changing conditions. Results will inform models that will use the parameters studied to predict the effects of future ocean acidification on the populations of red king crab in Bristol Bay as well as on the fisheries that depend on them. Fishery managers will better be able to anticipate and manage stocks if changing ocean chemistry affects stock productivity and thus the maximum sustainable yield.

More about this work

Forecasts for Alaska Fisheries

Crab pots and fishing nets in Alaska's Dutch Harbor
Image credit: Michael Theberge

Understanding seasonal changes in ocean acidification in Alaskan waters and the potential impacts to the multi-billion-dollar fishery sector is a main priority. Through work funded by NOAA’s Ocean Acidification Program, the Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory developed a model capable of depicting past ocean chemistry conditions for the Bering Sea and is now testing the ability of this model to forecast future conditions. This model is being used to develop an ocean acidification indicator provided to fisheries managers in the annual NOAA Eastern Bering Sea Ecosystem Status Report.

ADAPTING TO OCEAN ACIDIFICATION

The NOAA Ocean Acidification Program (OAP) works to prepare society to adapt to the consequences of ocean acidification and conserve marine ecosystems as acidification occurs. Learn more about the human connections and adaptation strategies from these efforts.

Adaptation approaches fostered by the OAP include:

FORECASTING

Using models and research to understand the sensitivity of organisms and ecosystems to ocean acidification to make predictions about the future, allowing communities and industries to prepare

Closeup of oysters cupped in someone's hands

MANAGEMENT

Using these models and predictions as tools to facilitate management strategies that will protect marine resources and communities from future changes

TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT

Developing innovative tools to help monitor ocean acidification and mitigate changing ocean chemistry locally

REDUCING OUR CARBON FOOTPRINT

50 more ways to reduce your carbon footprint >

On the Road

Drive fuel-efficient vehicles or choose public transportation. Choose your bike or walk! Don't sit idle for more than 30 seconds. Keep your tires properly inflated.

With your Food Choices

Eat local- this helps cut down on production and transport! Reduce your meat and dairy. Compost to avoid food waste ending up in the landfill

With your Food Choices

Make energy-efficient choices for your appliances and lighting. Heat and cool efficiently! Change your air filters and program your thermostat, seal and insulate your home, and support clean energy sources

By Reducing Coastal Acidification

Reduce your use of fertilizers, Improve sewage treatment and run off, and Protect and restore coastal habitats

TAKE ACTION WITH YOUR COMMUNITY

You've taken the first step to learn more about ocean acidification - why not spread this knowledge to your community?

Every community has their unique culture, economy and ecology and what’s at stake from ocean acidification may be different depending on where you live.  As a community member, you can take a larger role in educating the public about ocean acidification. Creating awareness is the first step to taking action.  As communities gain traction, neighboring regions that share marine resources can build larger coalitions to address ocean acidification.  Here are some ideas to get started:

  1. Work with informal educators, such as aquarium outreach programs and local non-profits, to teach the public about ocean acidification. Visit our Education & Outreach page to find the newest tools!
  2. Participate in habitat restoration efforts to restore habitats that help mitigate the effects of coastal acidification
  3. Facilitate conversations with local businesses that might be affected by ocean acidification, building a plan for the future.
  4. Partner with local community efforts to mitigate the driver behind ocean acidification  – excess CO2 – such as community supported agriculture, bike & car shares and other public transportation options.
  5. Contact your regional Coastal Acidification Network (CAN) to learn how OA is affecting your region and more ideas about how you can get involved in your community
       More for Taking Community Action