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Ocean Acidification Program News

NOAA Ocean Acidification Program Specialist

  • Job Postings

Open until a sufficient number of applicants are received

The program specialist will be working with NOAA Ocean Acidification Program (OAP) to provide interagency affairs capacity in support of NOAA’s requirements under the Federal Ocean Acidification Research & Monitoring Act (FOARAM Act) and the Coordinated Ocean Observations and Research Act of 2020 Act (ICOOS Act).
Responsibilities:

  • Lead the drafting of congressionally mandated reporting requirements under FOARAM which include biennial reports on federal agency ocean acidification activities, the formulation of a strategic plan every 5 years and tracking agency progress against the strategic plan. The program specialist will also provide oversight of the OAP sponsored OA Information Exchange project called for under the FOARAM Act.
  • In response to passage of the Coordinated Ocean Observations and Research Act, the program specialist will be charged with formulating responses to OAP requirements. This will likely call for two new interagency reports including one on economic vulnerability to OA and another on monitoring prioritization within two years of passage of the act.
  • Provide staffing support to the NOAA Chair for the Ocean Acidification Interagency Working Group (IWG-OA). This will involve handling meeting logistics including at least one in person convening of the principles per year (COVID permitting), recruitment and coordination of agency representatives, and ensuring adherence to the Subcommittee on Ocean Science and Technology (SOST) requirements.
  • Responds to data calls and taskers relevant to congressional affairs and serve as the liaison between the OAP and the OAR Congressional Affairs Office.
  • Represent the OAP on a number of interagency working groups including with the USGCRP particular in cases where the program mission space intersects and where OA science can inform national assessments.
  • Other special projects will also be engaged on an as needed basis in support of IWG-OA activities including shepherding an interagency plan for Certified Reference Material production.

This position will be located at the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration Silver Spring Metro Center, in Silver Spring , MD.   
Applications accepted until a sufficient number are received. More info here.

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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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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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