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Improving resilience of blue mussels to ocean acidification and warming

  • Principal Investigator(s): Robert Holmberg, Downeast Institute
  • Fiscal Year Funded: 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024

Improving resilience of hatchery-reared blue mussels (Mytilus edulis) to interactive effects of ocean acidification and warming with diet and seawater buffering

Why we care
“The Gulf of Maine is changing, which means Maine’s mussel industry needs to be adaptable. Based on lessons that we have learned in other areas, our first, best step is to create hatcheries to protect mussel larvae and juveniles. It is important that hatcheries are ready to respond to continuing changes in the ocean to ensure they can provide a supply of seed that is viable in what are increasingly acidic oceans.”
– Matt Moretti, Bangs Island Mussels, Portland, Maine

Coastal seawater in the Gulf of Maine, especially eastern Maine, is expected to acidify faster than most other bioregions in the United States. Marine bivalve aquaculture in Maine continues to grow, and one increasingly important concern given the collapse of the groundfish fishery is the negative impacts of ocean change on remaining fisheries. The blue mussel industry provides millions of dollars to Maine’s economy and comprises the bulk of Maine’s aquaculture industry along with eastern oysters. There stands a need to investigate how water buffering and diet enhancement can support blue mussels as they face the challenges of ocean and coastal acidification and ocean warming. This project evaluates the effectiveness of these two approaches for blue mussel aquaculture in Maine. 

What we will do
This project examines the potential of alternative diet regimes to improve resilience of aquacultured shellfish to multiple environmental stressors, namely ocean and coastal acidification (OCA) and ocean warming. The team will test the method empirically using the commercially-important blue mussel (Mytilus edulis). Importantly, this project will test the efficacy of various alternative diet regimes to bolster resilience to experimental OCA and warming. It will also determine any interaction between diet enhancement and seawater buffering on both laboratory and commercial scales. If successful, these mitigation strategies could be easily employed by hatcheries. Finally, co-producing a technology transfer and outreach plan helps ensure project outcomes reach the shellfish aquaculture community in Maine and beyond. 

Benefits of our work
“This project is a chance to find a solution to problems caused by ocean acidification in mussel
seed production before it becomes a crisis.”
– Evan Young, Blue Hill Bay Mussels

The strategies evaluated in this project could either complement existing protocols or replace more expensive buffering to control carbonate chemistry. Additionally, this collaborative work will strengthen an existing community of practice composed of mussel growers and researchers at the Downeast Institute and the University of Maine. 

Investigators
Robert Holmberg, Downeast Institute
Kyle Pepperman, Downeast Institute
Evan Young, Blue Hill Bay Mussels
Matt Moretti, Bangs Island Mussels
Brian Beal, University of Maine

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

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