Ocean acidification is a threat to food security, economies, and culture because of its potential impacts on marine ecosystem services. Information on how ocean acidification will impact ecosystems and the services they provide can help guide how we adapt to and mitigate forecasted changes.
The OAP funds modeling studies to advance our understanding of the impacts of ocean acidification on coastal ecosystems and fisheries.
Scientists can use a wide variety of models to project the potential progression of acidification in different regions, the impacts that changes in chemistry may have on marine life, and how these changes could affect a variety of ecosystem services including fisheries, aquaculture, and protection of coasts by coral reefs. For example, projections of ocean acidification can be incorporated into food-web models to better understand how changing ocean chemistry could affect harvested species, protected species, and the structure of the food web itself. Economic-forecast models can be used to analyze the economic impacts of potential changes in fisheries harvest caused by ocean acidification.
Figure from: Harvey et al. 2010
Experiments on species response suggest that ocean acidification will directly affect a wide variety of organisms from calcifying shellfish and coral to fish and phytoplankton. Ecosystem models can capture the complex effects of ocean acidification on entire ecosystems.
How marine organisms respond to ocean acidification will be influenced by their reaction to chemistry change and their interactions with others species, such as their predators and prey. Scientists use ecosystem models to understand how ocean chemistry may affect entire ecosystems because they account for the complex interactions between organisms. Output from such modeling exercises can inform management of fisheries, protected species, and other important natural resources. Because ecosystem feedbacks are complex, understanding the uncertainty associated with these models is critical to effective management.
Projections of the economic impacts of ocean acidification can be created by combining economic models with findings from laboratory experiments and ecological models.
For example, these links can be made for port communities or specific fisheries through modeling changes in fish harvest. Researchers at the Alaska Fisheries Science Center have developed bio-economic forecasts for the economically and culturally important species red king crab. Researchers at the Northwest Fisheries Science Center are developing projections of how the economies of regional port communities might be altered by potential changes in West Coast fisheries caused by ocean acidification.
The NOAA Ocean Acidification Program (OAP) is working to build knowledge about how to adapt to the consequences of ocean acidification (OA) and conserve marine ecosystems as acidification occurs.
Turning current observations into forecasts is the key mechanism by which adaptation plans are created.
Forecasting provides insight into a vision of the future by using models that visualize how quickly and where ocean chemistry will be changing in tandem with an understanding of how sensitive marine resources and communities are to these changes. By making predictions about the future, we can better adapt and prepare for ocean acidification. Coastal forecasts for ocean acidification are currently being developed for the West Coast, Chesapeake Bay, the East Coast, Caribbean and the western Gulf of Mexico. Ocean acidification hotspots are areas that are particularly vulnerable, either from a biological, economic, or cultural perspective. Identification of these hot spots in coastal waters is a priority for the Coastal Acidification Networks (CANs), fostered by the Ocean Acidification Program around the country. These networks bring together scientists, decision makers, fishermen and other stakeholders to identify and answer the most important questions about acidification and its effects in the region.
NOAA scientists have played an important role in development of the J-SCOPE forecast system, used to create seasonal forecasts for the North Pacific region. These forecasts will allow fisheries managers to predict seasonal outlooks for management decisions.
Developing innovative tools to help monitor ocean acidification and mitigate changing ocean chemistry locally
Management strategies use information provided by research and tools that can be used to make sound decisions to effectively conserve marine resources. Baseline research about organism and community sensitivity to ocean acidification is incorporated into these strategies, in an effort to sustain these resources for the future.
Before management plans can be created it is necessary to have baseline research about the effects of ocean acidification on marine resources, such as Pacific oysters, Dungeness crabs and rockfish. The OAP funds NOAA Fisheries Science Centers to expose various life stages of valuable species to present and future acidification conditions. The biological response research is then incorporated into models that can be used to create tools for managers to use so that they can test different scenarios on species’ populations and habitats. Modeling efforts led by Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution are now being used to produce one of these tools for Atlantic sea scallop fisheries. The dashboard will allow managers to test the impacts of different management actions on scallop populations. In the Pacific Northwest, NOAA, the University of Washington, and shellfish industry scientists have formed a strong partnership to adapt to ocean acidification impacts that have already affected the shellfish industry. Together these researchers determined that acidification was threatening oyster production and offered an approach to address it. They installed equipment to monitor carbon chemistry at shellfish hatcheries and worked with hatchery managers to develop methods that protect developing oyster larvae from exposure to low pH waters. Early warning tools are now being used to forecast seasonal acidification conditions to enable shellfish growers to adapt their practices.
Ocean acidification is a global challenge, and the most effective adaptation strategies are holistic, incorporating the knowledge and experiences of many sectors. As an answer to the difficulty of bridging geographic and professional divides, together with the Interagency Working Group on Ocean Acidification, NOAA helped launch the Ocean Acidification Information Exchange, an online community and discussion forum.
The OA Information Exchange is designed to make it easy to connect and find information, with tools to post updates, share documents, media, links, and events with fellow members. The site welcomes scientists, educators, students, policy makers, members of industry, and concerned citizens to help fulfill the mission of building a well-informed community ready to respond and adapt to ocean and coastal acidification. If you would like to join the conversation, please request an account at oainfoexchange.org/request-account.html
This portal provides a real-time data stream of ocean acidification data that can be used by shellfish growers, regional managers, stakeholders and the public. The portal can be used to make resource decisions and build adaptation strategies.
There is a significant need to strengthen capacity for research, monitoring, and adaptive solutions for ocean acidification resilience and associated multi-stressors in the Caribbean region. The Caribbean Ocean Acidification Community of Practice (CoP) endeavors to explore the impacts of ocean acidification on important ocean and coastal areas, such as coral reefs, ecosystem and human health, and socio-economic activities within the region. Other efforts by NOAA and partners in the region are to stand up a Caribbean Coastal Acidification Network (CAN) and create a GOA-ON Hub.
To determine the needs of the local communities, the CoP is working with The Ocean Foundation to facilitate a Needs Based Assessment Survey. The goal of the survey is to better inform policymakers and funding agencies in the region about OA and identify pathways for long-standing community structures such as a Coastal Acidification Network and GOA-ON Hub. This survey also helps self-identify leaders within the communities to carry these efforts forward. The survey will be open until April 21, 2023. The CoP aims to report on survey results via email and at local conferences (i.e. AMLC Meeting in St. Kitts May 22-26, 2023). If you have any questions about the survey, please contact Alexis Valauri-Orton (avalauriorton@oceanfdn.org).
Sea Grant announces a new funding opportunity for collaborative projects that address priority research needs to enhance our understanding of and address impacts to the American lobster fishery in the Gulf of Maine, Georges Bank, and southern New England.
The program seeks applications from research teams and encourages partnerships between industry, State agencies, and/or academia that address American lobster population dynamics, life history parameters (including temperature, ocean acidification or other changing climate conditions), species interactions and behavior, and/or social, behavioral, or economic research, including analyses regarding measures under consideration for inclusion in the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan.
Read the full announcement
Applications must be submitted to Grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. ET, May 10, 2023.
The research will become part of the Wednesday, March 22, 2023
The DFO-NOAA Ocean Acidification Steering Committee is pleased to announce the kickoff of the next round of funding to support projects/activities that help to advance our collaborative efforts. As with the previous round, there is $50K USD and $50K CAD set aside, and the focus will be on supporting students, post-docs, and early career scientists.
Funding Opportunity Details and Application Instructions
The deadline to submit proposals is February 15, 2023, sent to Alyssa Dunbar (Alyssa.dunbar@dfo-mpo.gc.ca) and Alex Puritz (Alexandra.puritz@noaa.gov). Contact them with questions.
Announcing a position at NERACOOS as the Climate and Ecosystems Coordinator. The two primary responsibilities will be coordinating the Northeast Coastal Acidification Network (NECAN) and the Ocean Acidification Information Exchange (OAIE), with time reserved to develop new work related to OA, HABs, and other emerging issues.
Position Details and Requirements HERE
Applying Instructions: Submit CV, 1-page cover letter, and contact information for three professional references as a PDF to Rob Cardeiro (rob@neracoos.org). The search committee will review applications beginning February 1, 2023, and will continue until the position is filled.