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The Olympic Coast as a Sentinel: An Integrated Social-Ecological Regional Vulnerability Assessment to Ocean Acidification

Surfers walk on Second Beach in the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary. Credit; Matt McIntosh, ONMS/NOAA
  • Principal Investigator(s): Jan Newton
  • Fiscal Year Funded: 2017, 2018, 2019

Why we care
The Olympic Coast, located in the Pacific Northwest U.S., stands as a region already experiencing effects of ocean acidification. This poses risks to marine resources important to the public, especially local Native American tribes who have lived and stewarded this area since time immemorial and depend on marine treaty-protected resources. This project brings together partners from the four Tribes in the Olympic Coast and researchers to understand the social and cultural risks of ocean change, identify research priorities, and adaptive strategies.

What we will do
This project unites new social science research with a synthesis of existing chemical and biological data from open ocean to intertidal areas, sharing of cultural knowledge, and model projections, to assess current and projected Olympic Coast vulnerabilities associated with ocean acidification. Project partners will provide information in various forms that the Tribes can use as well as recommendations and strategies for these communities to adapt to impacts from ocean change.

Benefits of the work
This critical research aims to increase the Tribes’ abilities to prepare for and respond to ocean acidification and other ocean change through respective community-driven strategies. By constructing a comprehensive, place-based approach to assess vulnerability, decision-makers in the Pacific Northwest will be better able to anticipate, evaluate and manage societal risks and impacts of ocean acidification. This collaborative project is developed in partnership with tribal co-investigators and regional resource managers from start to finish and is rooted in a focus on local priorities for social, cultural, and ecological health and adaptive capacity.

Visit Washington Sea Grant’s webpage for this regional vulnerability assessment and hear from Tribal partners and others on the importance of healthy ecosystems in the region and the work.

Watch the full length “Olympic Coast as a Sentinel” video (19 min) or the shorter video (4.5 min).

Investigators
Jan Newton, UW Applied Physics Lab and the Washington Ocean Acidification Center
Melissa Poe , UW Washington Sea Grant and NOAA Northwest Fisheries Science Center
Simone Alin, NOAA Pacific Marine Environmental Lab
Meg Chadsey, Washington Sea Grant
Richard Feely, NOAA Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory
Steven Fradkin, Olympic National Park
Khalid Marcus, Hoh Tribe
Joe Schumacker, Quinault Indian Nation
Samantha Siedlecki, Joint Institute for the Study of the Atmosphere and Ocean (JISAO)
Russell Svec, Makah Tribe
Jenny Waddell, Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary
Melissa Watkinson, Washington Sea Grant

Partners
Jennifer Hagen, Quileute Tribe
Adrienne Sutton, NOAA Pacific Marine Environmental Lab

Image: Surfers walk on Second Beach in the Olympic National Marine Sanctuary (ONMS). Credit: Matt McIntosh, ONMS/NOAA

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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