The NOAA Ocean Acidification Program exists to meet the ocean acidification (OA) research and monitoring needs of the US. However, we can do this more effectively and efficiently if coordinated closely with entities both within and outside NOAA. Within NOAA, we have developed the NOAA OA Working Group as a way to facilitate these close working relationships.
The OAP works closely with coastal state governments, on-the-ground networks and NGOs to develop their responses to ocean acidification
We work closely with coastal state governments, many of which are now engaged in developing their respective responses to ocean acidification including the states of Washington, Alaska, California, Oregon, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Maryland. As part of our partnership with state efforts, the OAP is supporting the development of regional coastal acidification networks (CANs). We also work closely with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) such as the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), Ocean Conservancy, Island Institute and COMPASS on a variety of outreach, communications, assessment and networking projects.
Our federal partners in ocean acidification research meet officially through the IWG-OA, which NOAA chairs.
The Federal Ocean Acidification Research And Monitoring Act (FOARAM), called for the Subcommittee on Ocean Science and Technology to establish an Interagency Working Group on Ocean Acidification (IWG-OA). The IWG-OA advises and assists the Subcommittee on Ocean Science and Technology on matters related to ocean acidification, including coordination of Federal activities on ocean acidification and other interagency activities as outlined in FOARAM. These agencies have come together to provide a thoughtful, strategic approach to understand and address the rapidly emerging problem of ocean acidification. Find out more....
Ocean and coastal acidification professionals are working together by joining the Ocean Acidification Information Exchange, an online community that connects members from different regions and disciplines.
The site’s goal is to foster collaboration and make it easy to learn from each others’ diverse experiences, which is why the platform is both a discussion forum and a repository for information. Members post questions, updates, documents, videos, photos, links and events, and tag posts with topic keywords to streamline searching. OA Information Exchange members can join teams that align with their interests and engage not only with the entire community, but also with smaller groups of peers. There are currently sixteen individual teams set up around topics such as “Policy and Resource Management” and “Local Action,” along with regions such as the Southeast, Pacific Islands, and California Current. The OA Information Exchange encourages scientists, educators, students, members of the aquaculture and fishing industry, non-profit and government employees, managers, policy makers, and concerned citizens to request an account and join the conversation at oainfoexchange.org.
Canada shares several coastlines with the United States. Join the Canadian Ocean Acidification Community of Practice for connections to researchers, stakeholders, and resources. https://www.oceanacidification.ca/
The NOAA Ocean Acidification Program (OAP) recognizes the importance of our international leadership role.
Given that ocean acidification (OA) is a global threat, it is imperative that countries work together to share best practices and data to maximize resources and effort. The United States is, as of 2017, the only country with an ocean acidification law (FOARAM) that outlines a commitment to long term ocean acidification monitoring and research. Scientists from countries around the world seek out NOAA scientists for expert advice on ocean acidification topics. NOAA takes this leadership responsibility very seriously and works hard to cooperate and coordinate wherever possible.
At the September 2016 Our Ocean Conference, the US State Department announced $300,000 to fund scientific capacity building and monitoring in developing regions including Latin America, Africa and the Pacific Islands. NOAA will be working closely with the US State Department and The Ocean Foundation to oversee these capacity building efforts which include both hands-on workshops and support for technicians to do OA monitoring.
In May 2016, the Global Ocean Acidification Observing Network (GOA-ON) announced the launch of the Pier2Peer Mentor Network at the 3rd international scientific workshop. P2P was developed to connect scientists new to the field of ocean acidification to experts.
Recognizing the need to globally coordinate OA monitoring, the NOAA Ocean Acidification Program provided resources in 2012 to hold the 1st international scientific meeting of OA scientists which led to the launch the Global Ocean Acidification Observing Network in 2013.
Check out the new GO-OAN data portal!
The new interactive data portal includes global ocean acidification monitoring platforms, overlays of aragonite saturation and surface CO2 concentrations and real-time data from participating platforms.
Three high level goals of GOA-ON aim to provide measurements for management while also delivering scientific knowledge
to improve our understanding of global ocean acidification conditions
to improve our understanding of ecosystem response to ocean acidification
to acquire and exchange the data and knowledge necessary to optimize the modeling of ocean acidification and its impacts
Join the Pier2Peer mentorship program!
In May 2016, the Global Ocean Acidification Observing Network (GOA-ON) announced the launch of the Pier2Peer Mentor Network at the 3rd international scientific workshop. Pier2Peer is an effort to match ocean acidification experts with mentees, including students and early-career scientists.
A broad and integrated research effort is needed to fully understand the rate, magnitude, and variability of ocean acidification, its impacts on ecologically and economically important organisms, and the resulting implications on human populations and economies. The OAP is partnering with a wide variety of institutions with expertise in the program's research focus areas.