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Research to Resilience:
OAP’s FY25 Impact on ocean, coasts and Great Lakes acidification

Tracking our changing ocean

NOAA ship in background during the West Coast Ocean Acidification research cruise with a mooring measuring ocean chemistry in the foreground. Credit: NOAA
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Overview
Research and monitoring that serve communities
Tracking our changing ocean
Understanding what's at risk
Increasing capacity to build resilience
Ocean acidification solutions

Knowing where and how fast our ocean’s chemistry is changing is essential for forecasting and preparing for impacts now and in the future. OAP supported work nationally in FY25 that identified the state of acidification, improved our understanding of processes affecting ocean acidification and convened practitioners to advance our monitoring and community engagement.

Research shows OA more pervasive than previously thought

Research supported by OAP and the Global Ocean Monitoring and Observing program led to a published study finding that ocean acidification has substantially compromised 40% of the world’s surface ocean and 60% of the subsurface down to 656 feet (200m). This change in ocean chemistry can make it less favorable for many marine organisms to generate shells or skeletons and, in some instances, actually result in corrosive waters. Impacted calcifying marine life can include shellfish, corals, crabs, and some vital plankton. The resulting habitat loss and species decline pose a widespread risk, already demonstrated by significant impacts on commercial, recreational and subsistence fisheries.

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Figure of Ocean Acidification Planetary Boundary
This map shows the percent difference between 1750 and 2020 in the saturation of aragonite, a critical mineral building block for marine calcifiers like corals and shellfish. There is a reduction of 10-30% over the past 270 years.

Research challenges current understanding of ocean’s role in carbon uptake

New research using real-time measurements from ocean buoys is fundamentally changing our understanding of ocean chemistry in coastal ecosystems. In the California Current, scientists discovered that brief but strong upwelling events that can generate localized acidification events—where deep, carbon-rich water is pulled to the surface—cause nearshore areas to release carbon dioxide CO2 into the atmosphere. This finding contradicts previous assumptions, which were based on less frequent monthly-averaged data and incorrectly suggested these areas were absorbing CO2. These findings identified that traditional monitoring methods can significantly underestimate the severity and speed of changing ocean chemistry, and underscored how continuous, real-time data can lead to better predictions of ocean carbon chemistry that inform coastal management.

OA Buoy deployed in Fagatele Bay, American Samoa
GAKOA Buoy
Moored Buoy off the Gulf of America

OAP brings observing network, industry together

In October 2024, OAP brought NOAA Ocean Acidification Observing Network (NOA-ON) station leads and industry together to discuss data quality, data management, and data products, connect with industry about sensor development, and provide network updates on a national level. Through the workshop, they identified how data are being used and future products that would better serve communities such as daily local forecasts, long-term regional forecasts, indicators and early warning systems for fisheries and aquaculture. Also announced this year was the re-establishment of the monitoring station in Chesapeake Bay. The NOA-ON provides continuous, real time monitoring of ocean, coastal and Great Lake acidification.

OAP's Ocean Observing
Get the data
Research and monitoring that serve communities
Understanding what's at risk

Bioeconomic modeling to inform Alaska fisheries management

Fishing Dock in Juneau Alaska
Image credit: Allen Shimada, NOAA NMFS

Bioeconomic models are a multidisciplinary tool that use oceanography, fisheries science and social science to assess socioeconomic impacts. Funded by the Ocean Acidification Program, researchers at the Alaska Fisheries Science Center use a bioeconomic model to study the impacts of ocean acidification on Eastern Bering Sea crab, northern rock sole and Alaska cod. The goal is to predict how ocean acidification will affect abundance yields and income generated by the fisheries. This work informs the potential economic impacts of ocean acidification and future decision making and research planning.

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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.

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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