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Safe shellfish: tackling ocean acidification and harmful algal blooms in the Salish Sea

A small watercraft approaches a monitoring buoy in calm waters in the Salish Sea.
The Se'lhaem buoy in the Salish Sea monitors ocean acidification and harmful algal blooms in the Salish Sea. Credit: NANOOS
  • Principal Investigator(s): Melissa Peackock, Northwest Indian College
  • Fiscal Year Funded: 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026

Salish Sea HAB response to ocean acidification and concomitant stressors of increased sea surface temperature and nutrification

Why we care
The future of shellfish depends on clean water. Washington is the largest producer of farmed shellfish in the United States. Wild and cultured shellfish harvesting contributes approximately $180 million annually to the state’s economy while supporting thousands of jobs. Tribal communities have long relied on shellfish for sustenance and cultural practices since time immemorial. In the Salish Sea, harmful algal blooms (HABs) and ocean acidification are becoming growing concerns that can threaten shellfish, fisheries, and coastal communities. 

As the prevalence and severity of HABs and changing ocean conditions increase, this economically important industry is at greater risk. While ocean acidification and HABs have each been studied extensively, scientists still know little about the compounding effects of these two stressors on shellfish. This project investigates how these two stressors interact and may increase risks to Salish Sea ecosystems, shellfish, fisheries, coastal economies, and public health.

What we are doing
The research team will study how changes in ocean chemistry affect three harmful algal species found in the Salish Sea. They will combine field observations with laboratory experiments to understand how changing water conditions influence algae growth and toxin production. The project will help improve an early warning dashboard that combines harmful algal bloom data with ocean acidification data so managers, shellfish growers, and tribal communities can better understand when risks are increasing.

Benefits of our work
Toxic blooms can close shellfish harvest areas, cause major economic losses, harm aquaculture, and create serious risks to seafood safety.  This work can help protect shellfish harvests, and coastal communities by improving how we predict and respond to harmful algal blooms. By understanding how ocean acidification and other water conditions affect harmful algae, this research can also support better warning systems, safer seafood, stronger fisheries management, and healthier coastal communities.

This work is jointly funded by the NOAA Ocean Acidification Program (OAP) and National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS).

Resources
NOAA Predicting Algal Blooms
OA adaptation strategies for shellfish aquaculture in the Chesapeake Bay
Podcast:  All About HABs: Uncovering the Mystery of Harmful Algal Blooms

Investigators
Melissa Peacock, Northwest Indian College
Simone Alin, NOAA Pacific Marine Environmental Lab
William Cochlan, Estuary and Ocean Science Center-San Francisco State University
Teri King, Washington Sea Grant
Jan Newton, Applied Physics Laboratory, University of Washington
Vera Trainer, NOAA Northwest Fisheries Science Center

Management Transition Advisory Committee
Jerry Borchert, Washington State Department of Health 
Raphael Kudela, University of California, Santa Cruz
Franchesca Perez, Stillaguamish Tribe
Ben Starkhouse, Lummi Natural Resources
Nyle Taylor, Taylor Shellfish Farm

Effects of ocean acidification and temperature on Alaskan crabs

Red King Crab
Image credit: David Csepp, NMFS AKFSC ABL

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.

More about this work

Forecasts for Alaska Fisheries

Crab pots and fishing nets in Alaska's Dutch Harbor
Image credit: Michael Theberge

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
       More for Taking Community Action