15 years ago, scientists and oyster growers had to team up to face an invisible threat after oyster larvae started dying by the billions. Learn how NOAA’s Ocean Acidification Program was born from this crisis and how it continues to protect our marine resources today.
Choose Your Own (O)Adventure is an interactive tool for curated ocean and coastal acidification learning resources.
The seventh West Coast Ocean Acidification (WCOA 2026) research cruise set sail to monitor ocean acidification and its impacts on marine resources.
The fourth East Coast Ocean Acidification cruise completed the first leg sampling the most northern line ever.
The National Coral Reef Monitoring Program successfully completed all scientific operations on the first leg in American Samoa and Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument to assess ocean acidification and coral reef health.
NOAA launched the fourth East Coast Ocean Acidification (ECOA-4) research cruise to monitor ocean acidification and impacts on marine resources.
NOAA launches dual coastwide ocean acidification research cruises (ECOA-4, WCOA 2026) to track ocean chemistry and impacts on marine resources this June.
Researchers supported in part by NOAA’s Ocean Acidification Program co-authored research that won the United Kingdom’s National Champion award and is a finalist for the Frontiers Planet Prize, the world’s largest global science competition.
NOAA scientists set sail this week from Hawai’i aboard the NOAA Ship Oscar Elton Sette headed for
American Samoa and the Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument to monitor vital coral reef ecosystems.
The NOAA Ocean Acidification Program presents major highlights of ocean acidification research, monitoring and outreach over fiscal year 2025.
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.
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:
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
Using these models and predictions as tools to facilitate management strategies that will protect marine resources and communities from future changes
Developing innovative tools to help monitor ocean acidification and mitigate changing ocean chemistry locally
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.
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
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
Reduce your use of fertilizers, Improve sewage treatment and run off, and Protect and restore coastal habitats
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:
