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Ocean Acidification Program News

Anchors aweigh! Scientists depart for American Samoa, Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument

  • Featured, OA News, OAP Happenings
A diver swims over a shallow coral reef with fish in the background. The diver is holding surveying equipment and is operating with SCUBA gear.
A scientist prepares to photograph a reef at Swains Island during the 2023 National Coral Reef Monitoring Program survey in American Samoa. Credit: NOAA Fisheries (Permit #NMSAS-2023-002)

NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center scientists set sail this week from Hawai’i aboard the NOAA Ship Oscar Elton Sette headed for
American Samoa and the Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument (PIHMNM) to monitor vital coral reef ecosystems. During this mission, they will assess coral reef health and its drivers, including fish communities, ocean acidification, and warming. The mission continues long-term monitoring that will inform science-based conservation and management to drive resilient, place-based economic development. by providing work helps ensure sustainable domestic seafood production, maintaining and enhancing fishing opportunities, recovering protected species, safeguarding ecosystem health, and strengthening coastal resilience.

This year marks the 10th survey by the NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program‘s National Coral Reef Monitoring Program (NCRMP) in American Samoa since 2002 and was last surveyed in 2023. It also marks the 16th survey in the PIHMNM since 2000. The team departed April 17 aboard the NOAA Ship Oscar Elton Sette will arrive in Pago Pago, American Samoa on May 12 and will work through July. Their first stop is Palmyra Atoll in the Monument.

Follow the journey with this interactive storymap!

What scientists will do for this survey

During this survey mission, researchers will survey coral reefs by diving and taking images and measurements. They will collect water samples to assess water conditions and compare them to the long-term record to determine trends. At some sites, scientists will visit and measure how the reef is growing or shrinking using Calcification Accretion Units (CAU’s). These CAUs provide a longer record of calcium carbonate accretion, which is the buildup or growth of the mineral building block corals and some algae use for their skeletons and structures. Since commercial and non-commercial fishing industries are important parts of the economies in the Pacific Islands Region, contributing nearly $1.7 billion in sales and support nearly 16,000 jobs, the team will also collect larval fish to better understand the health of fish stocks. Data collected from this survey will be publicly available next year.

Keep a lookout for NOAA offshore

People from shore may see a large white ship offshore and small orange boats with divers who are surveying the health of reefs. These scientists do not take any marine life; instead, they gather data to share with local agencies and communities to to better manage and protect our ocean resources. The team will also provide outreach activities while stationed in American Samoa. Connecting with local decision-makers, school groups, and the public provides a opportunities for people to meet the scientists and crew and learn more about these surveys.

See what a day is like aboard

These surveys are funded by NOAA’s Coral Reef Conservation Program and are part of the National Coral Reef Monitoring Program. NOAA’s Ocean Acidification Program funds the monitoring of the carbonate system and ocean chemistry. Ocean acidification is one known driver of coral reef health in the Pacific.

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Effects of ocean acidification and temperature on Alaskan crabs

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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
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