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Ocean Acidification Program News

Day 2: Meet the “Day Shift”

  • WCOA 2026 Updates
WCOA 2026 Day Shift Crew

These 13 intrepid scientists are covering the WCOA noon-to-midnight shift for the first leg of the journey. It’s a little tricky to start their day with a sandwich or burger, but upon settling in everyone has found something to be excited about. Read on to find out more about the cruise participants.

Avery Mathias holding a large pipette

Avery Mathias

Avery is a graduate student with the Chan Lab at the University of Washington (UW). During the cruise, Avery is on the hunt for copepods to explore the interaction of latitude on metabolic rate and thermal tolerance. “I was excited to see baby fish turn up in some net tows along with a rare peanut worm larva. Tonight’s dinner was also such a delicious curry!”

Brendan Carter sitting at a workstation on a ship

Brendan Carter

Brendan is the chief scientist for the first leg of WCOA. A scientist with CICOES, Brendan is involved in global and regional efforts to measure seawater and its changes over time, and in international efforts to make the measurements made by the many laboratories and nations working together to track ocean change more comparable. One of his scientific pursuits is figuring out how much of the carbon in seawater is there because of human activities, and then using that information to quantify the impacts ocean acidification has had on ocean chemistry and biology. This is his third West Coast OA cruise, and each time he’s found more carbon from humans than the time before. He’s thrilled to be out here again with this great team of scientists. “I had a chance to watch a bird on the bow for around 20 minutes – he was in his moment and I was in mine watching him.”

Caroline Fradette holds a pokeball made from styrofoam shrunk in deep water

Caroline Fradette

Caroline is a research scientist with the NOAA PMEL carbon group, interested in carbon system metrology (translation: finding the best way to measure the carbon dioxide system in seawater). “I’ve mostly done shallow station sampling, so this is the first time I’ve shrunk styrofoam in deep water. I made a pokeball!”

Christopher Ikeda on the deck of a ship

Christopher Ikeda

Christopher is a research scientist with the carbon group at NOAA PMEL. “I’ve enjoyed the moments of stepping away from the lab setup to look around and day dreaming of ways to get back to shore.”

Emily Lamaige sitting at a computer station

Emily Lemaige

Emily is a physical oceanographer with ECOFOCI at NOAA PMEL, specifically looking at how ocean currents and temperature change and impact organisms. “I’ve loved when folks are crammed around the CTD rosette all taking samples. It’s teamwork to the utmost!”

Gerardo Toro-Farmer on a tall tower on the bow of a ship

Gerardo Toro-Farmer

Gerardo is a bio-optical oceanographer using in-situ and remote sensing tools to better understand biochemical processes at NASA. “I’ve had the most fun climbing to the top of a tall tower on the bow of the ship in order to take radiometric measurements that will help validate the PACE satellite. It’s a little scary but fun!”

Karen Chan on the deck of a ship

Karen Chan

Karen is faculty at UW School of Oceanography, and her group investigates how the environment and zooplankton interact and the implications for ecosystem functions. “I found a horseshoe worm larva – only two species have ever been described, and the one we’ve seen is new to me!”

KyungJae holding a lab flask in each hand

KyungJae

KyungJae is a research scientist with UW Tacoma, identifying the occurrences and impacts of anthropogenic contaminants in the Puget Sound. Areas of research interest include the global carbon cycle, the impacts of ocean acidification and other anthropogenic stressors on the coastal ecosystem, and the trends of pCO2.  On WCOA, KyungJae is focused on oxygen sampling and titrations. “I’ve enjoyed learning both scientific and life lessons from the diverse perspectives of scientists on board!”

Lucy Greeley with her back turned to the camera on the deck of a ship

Lucy Greeley

Embarking on her first research cruise, Lucy is helping with net tow operations on WCOA. “I’m quite thankful to have kept all my innards on the inside, thank you scopolamine! I’ve been most excited to see a seabird 250 nautical miles from shore, and hope to see some more wildlife while relaxing in the ship’s hot tub.”

Macarena (Maki) Martin Mayor on the deck of a ship at sunset

Macarena (Maki) Martin Mayor

Maki is a PhD Candidate in the Byrne lab at the University of South Florida and the lead pH tech on WCOA. “The Naan at tonight’s dinner has changed my life and digestive system – the best solution to seasickness I’ve found. The current naan tally is five. The cheese danish is a close second!”

Matthew Kehrli

Matthew is a lead research scientist with NASA Goddard, specifically as an optical oceanographer measuring optical biogeochemical parameters in the ocean. “It’s been great to see clear skies from the boat, it does mean more work for me, but it’s definitely nice to see sunshine.”

Nina Buzby

Nina is a PhD candidate at UW splitting time between the Argo float labs at both UW and NOAA PMEL. “I was meant to deploy my first biogeochemical Argo float during this cruise, but I’m equally excited to be an extra hand when needed. This means I can be found in just about any lab/van/room while on shift!”

Sean McAllister

Sean is a researcher with CICOES studying environmental DNA and reference barcoding. “For a >4000m deep cast, I made a styrofoam cup for my 10-month old. I’ve never made a cup for anyone but myself before!”

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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.

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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
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