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Celebrating 15 Years of NOAA's Ocean Acidification Program

Marine life on the line

A school of Hawaiian dascyllus hover above a coral head off of Maui. Image Credit: Rebecca Weible, NOAA Fisheries

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Science to service and the power of partnership
Observing the invisible challenge
Marine life on the line
Advancing national outreach
Forging the next 15 years

After building a clear map of ocean chemistry, our next step was demonstrating how changing ocean chemistry affects marine species, their ability to adapt, and the ecosystems they support. From early lab experiments to modern genetic research on wild-caught scallops, OAP has advanced 15 years of unraveling how corrosive waters affect the seafood on our plates and reefs that protect our shores.

Highlights

  • Securing vital fisheries: From foundational research to advanced genetic and omics, our research assesses sensitivity, capacity to species to adapt, and strategies for resilience of vital commercial and subsistence species.
  • Safeguarding seafood and public health: OAP and partners assess how ocean acidification influences or accelerates harmful algal blooms (HABs) to protect human health, regional fisheries, and coastal economies.
  • Protecting ocean food webs: Research of the response of foundational species like plankton and krill helps us understand potential impacts of ocean acidification on the food webs supporting valuable marine resources and ecosystems.

Supporting the foundation of ocean food webs

Scientists begin at the foundation of our food webs and ecosystems, using traditional sampling, genetic indicators, and environmental DNA to study how ocean acidification affects microbes and plankton. This research has revealed that many important marine species – like pteropods (sea butterflies, the ocean’s superfood), krill, and some microbes – are highly sensitive to acidification. Their sensitivity may threaten food webs and biological carbon pump that support our ocean.

comparison of healthy pteropod shell vs. one affected by acidification
Pteropod (sea butterfly) shells degrade with ocean acidification. (Nina Bednaršek)

More case studies

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Pile of oysters (NOAA Sea Grant)

Securing our fisheries

NOAA’s priority of understanding ocean acidification goes beyond research; it underpins the essential aim of securing our natural resources that support our fisheries, economies, and ways of life. Understanding which species are most vulnerable and those with natural resilience provides the insights needed to adapt to ocean acidification.

OAP efforts advanced the following key economic drivers related to fisheries:

A full view of a sea scallop sitting on top of a pile of sea scallops shells.
Atlantic sea scallops (NOAA Fisheries)

Adapting to environmental shifts

Looking beyond a hatchery or cultivated oysters, many species encounter acidification and other stressors in the wild. As their environment continues to change, some species that can adapt will be “winners” whereas others “losers” in the future. Research using omics provides powerful tools to assess the capacity to adapt to ocean change.

Eelgrass with islands at a distance
Padilla Bay eelgrass (Washington State Dept. of Ecology)

Identifying natural refuges

Research suggests that seagrasses have the capacity to mitigate ocean acidification by creating locally-buffered environments. They may serve as a potential place and nature-based solution to mitigate the harmful effects of ocean and coastal acidification on Eastern oysters, other shellfish and fish.

Winter flounder. Credit: Northeast Fisheries Science Center, NOAA. 2022
Winter flounder are more sensitive to OA than many other finfish. (NOAA Northeast Fisheries Science Center, 2022)

Understanding diverse sensitivities

Our research also distinguishes between sensitive and resilient species to support smarter management strategies. Research sheds light on critical risks to survival, shell formation, and life processes, giving industry and resource managers the knowledge needed to protect our natural resources.

Harmful algal blooms in the Gulf of America (NASA)

Seafood safety

Harmful algal blooms (HABs), caused by toxic and noxious plankton, are a recurrent and serious problem in both our ocean and freshwater. HABs occur when toxic plankton multiply rapidly, posing serious threats to human health, local fisheries, and coastal economies. Emerging research shows that acidification can accelerate harmful algal bloom growth and boost their toxicity.

Featured projects:

Moving forward, OAP aims to continue research into species response, and also understand how ocean acidification affects ecosystems, food webs, and critical ocean processes and nutrient cycles.

Observing the invisible challenge
Advancing national outreach

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.

More about this work

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