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Alabama Oysters Taste Best with Tabasco, Not Ocean Acidification

Eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica). Credit: NOAA Fisheries

Why we care
The Alabama oyster industry, which is highly susceptible to ocean acidification, is an essential component of the Gulf of Mexico economy. Bolstering ocean and ocean acidification literacy among the diverse student populations and connecting them to this community in Alabama, can improve awareness and understanding and set the stage for Alabama youth to help work toward adaptive solutions. This project creates a new research course for a region that lacks ocean acidification education and links potential food web and industry impacts of ocean acidification in the region for youth.

What we will do
This project creates a research course for high school students focused on career development, ocean acidification science and stewardship. The Alabama School of Mathematics and Science (ASMS) in Mobile, Alabama, a public residential STEM legacy high-school currently serving students from 50 counties including from the Poarch Creek Indians tribe, has a unique ability to connect students from across the state to the economic and ecological diversity of the Gulf of Mexico. The team at ASMS will partner with the Alabama Coastal Foundation (ACF) for their Biological Resource class with a student population from underserved communities like the Black Belt and Poarch Creek Indian Tribe. The project aims to communicate the impacts of ocean acidification to the local oyster economy to more than 300 people that include the ASMS and ACF communities.

The project will connect students to the direct importance of oysters in their region. Students will conduct empirical laboratory research experiments, visit local oyster farms and use NOAA weather and ocean monitoring data to understand the susceptibility of oysters to ocean acidification. Students will also increase capacity for ACF by creating a program that bridges state oyster production data with oyster recycling data to integrate the ecosystem services of that program. This includes future-cast data that incorporate ocean acidification data to understand potential impacts. The work involves community through sharing the science of coastal acidification through partnerships that increase the ACF’s oyster shell recycling program reach by providing public facing data on the impact restaurants have by joining the program.

Students will take action by educating the larger ASMS student body on ocean acidification and the importance of ocean stewardship during the spring “Dragon Talks Symposium”, Nerd Alert Podcast and ACF’s newsletter.

Benefits of our work
This project connects students to the economic and ecological importance of oysters and exposes them to potential ocean careers. A new course that includes scientific investigation and partnership with the oyster industry is a start to matriculating ocean acidification literacy throughout Alabama. The work will engage students from different backgrounds across the state including Poarch Creek Indians tribe. Also anticipated is increased capacity and reach for an oyster shell recycling program, which supports the local industry. This work improves ocean acidification education and provides innovative approaches for community involvement and ocean acidification stewardship in the underserved AL communities.

Investigators
Rebecca Domangue, Alabama School of Mathematics and Science Foundation
Natalie Ortell, Alabama School of Mathematics and Science Foundation

Image: Eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica). Credit: NOAA Fisheries

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

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
       More for Taking Community Action