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Ocean Acidification Program News

Marianas coral reef and ocean monitoring mission completed

  • Featured, OA News, OAP Happenings, OAP Original News Stories
A blue tang in the middle of a healthy coral surrounded by other fish. Credit: Isabelle Basden / NOAA Fisheries
A blue tang in the middle of a healthy coral surrounded by other fish. Credit: Isabelle Basden / NOAA Fisheries

All scientific operations for the fourth and final leg of the 2025 National Coral Reef Monitoring Program (NCRMP)’s Mariana Archipelago mission aboard NOAA Ship Oscar Elton Sette finished last week. The team led by NCRMP researchers at the Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center completed surveys in U.S. Territories Guam, Saipan, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. The work included community outreach, innovative Structure-from-motion reef surveys designed to greatly increase field efficiency, carbonate budget assessments to inform the effects of ocean acidification on reefs, reef and fish assessments and more.

Coral reefs provide the U.S. with more than $1.8 billion dollars in flood protection benefits every year. They reduce direct flood damages to public and private property worth more than $800 million annually, and help avert other costs to lives and livelihoods worth an additional $1 billion. Additionally, healthy reefs are critical for tourism and fishing economies as well as and important part of the cultural heritage in the U.S. Pacific territories. The NCRMP Marianas mission provided efficient data for science-based conservation and management in this region. These efforts are essential for driving resilient, place-based economic development by ensuring sustainable domestic seafood production, maintaining and enhancing fishing opportunities, recovering protected species, safeguarding ecosystem health and strengthening coastal resilience.

Consistent and regular surveys of our Pacific Island coral reefs allow us to track how ocean change affects coral reefs as an important part of managing and conserving these ecosystems and meeting NOAA’s stewardship mission. The Mariana Archipelago was last surveyed in 2022, and this will be the ninth visit since 2003. Within a year, all survey data will be available to the public; universities and regional stakeholders rely on these data. Data from previous surveys in the Marianas and other communities around the Pacific using Data.gov and the National Coral Reef Monitoring Program Data Visualization Tool . 

Additionally, Tom Oliver (Chief Scientist, Leg 3) will present a webinar hosted by National Marine Sanctuaries about this year’s research mission on July 8 – register here.

NOAA’s Ocean Acidification Program supports the ocean chemistry and carbonate assessment components of NCRMP missions. These assessments help us understand drivers of coral reef change.

Check out the photo gallery.

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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.

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