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Human Connections

Fish or not fish—fisheries participation and harvest diversification under economic and ecological change

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Fish harvesters respond to economic, regulatory, and environmental changes within complex and often highly uncertain decision-making processes. Analyzing and quantifying human decisions can improve our understanding and sustainable management of marine systems. Wild fish harvesters face high income volatility linked to natural variability in fish abundance, changing ocean environments, and world market dynamics. Past research […]

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A framework for assessing harvest strategy choice when considering multiple interacting fisheries and a changing environment: The example of eastern Bering Sea crab stocks

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Ecosystem Based Fisheries Management aims to broaden the set of factors included in assessments and management decision making but progress with implementation remains limited. We developed a framework that examines the consequences of temporal changes in temperature and ocean pH on yield and profit of multiple interacting stocks including eastern Bering Sea (EBS) snow, southern Tanner, and

A framework for assessing harvest strategy choice when considering multiple interacting fisheries and a changing environment: The example of eastern Bering Sea crab stocks Read More »

Breaking wave in sunlight. Credit: NOAA Ocean Service

Announcing fellowship to build ocean acidification workforce

education & outreach, Featured, Job Postings, OA News, OAP Happenings / By

The Mid-Atlantic Coastal Acidification Network (MACAN) announces a fellowship that will provide an immersive, real-world learning opportunity while also helping build diversity within the field of ocean and coastal acidification (OCA). This fellowship intends to build on the activities outlined in the MACAN 2022-2024 Workplan. This fellowship is designed to first advance OCA education in formal,

Announcing fellowship to build ocean acidification workforce Read More »

Calm sea with mountains on horizon and expansive sky in Ketchikan, Alaska. Credit: Phil Price, Flickr

Building Capacity for Alaskan Tribes

adaptation strategies, arctic, climate change, education & outreach, Federal Funding, OA monitoring, ocean acidification, Projects, socio-economic impacts / By

Why we care:Alaskan Native communities rely on healthy marine ecosystems for work, sustenance and their way of life. Ocean acidification has documented impacts to marine life and these communities. An important step is assessing the vulnerability of Native Alaskan communities to ocean acidification impacts and developing adaptation strategies for future conditions. NOAA Ocean Acidification supports

Building Capacity for Alaskan Tribes Read More »

Spruce Island in the Kodiak region of Alaska. Bull kelp at water's surface with island in the background. Ocean acidification monitoring in this region helps prepare Kodiak Tribes for the impacts of ocean change. Credit: NOAA

Supporting Tribal Ocean Acidification Monitoring Programs

arctic, education & outreach, Federal Funding, OA monitoring, ocean acidification, Projects / By

Why we care:Alaskan Native communities rely on healthy marine ecosystems for work, sustenance and their way of life. Ocean acidification has documented impacts to marine life and these communities. Community members participate in ocean acidification monitoring and we need to better understand how to meet community needs and fill important monitoring gaps. Monitoring has been

Supporting Tribal Ocean Acidification Monitoring Programs Read More »

A vibrant coral reef is the background for the United States Ocean Acidification Action Plan, released December 10, 2023 at COP28

U. S. Ocean Acidification Action Plan Released

Featured, OA News, OAP Original News Stories, ocean acidification / By

A Roadmap for the other National Ocean Acidification Action Plans The United States released the U.S. Ocean Acidification (OA) Action Plan during the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) on December 10, 2023. This side event was co-hosted by NOAA Ocean Acidification Program, U.S. Department of State, and International Alliance to Combat Ocean Acidification (‘OA

U. S. Ocean Acidification Action Plan Released Read More »

NOAA ship in background during the West Coast Ocean Acidification research cruise with a mooring measuring ocean chemistry in the foreground. Credit: NOAA

NOAA declares Commitment to UN Decade OARS Programme

OA News, OAP Opportunities, OAP Original News Stories / By

On behalf of NOAA, the Ocean Acidification Program submitted a Commitment to the international Ocean Acidification Research for Sustainability (OARS) Programme on December 4, 2023. OARS is a UN Ocean Decade supported program dedicated to minimizing and addressing the impacts of ocean acidification (OA) through enhanced cooperation at all levels and is aligned with Sustainable

NOAA declares Commitment to UN Decade OARS Programme Read More »

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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

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

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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