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Project Partner: Partner: Alaska Fisheries Science Center

Impacts of Ocean Acidification on Alaskan and Arctic fishes
  • PI(s): Tom Hurst
  • Fiscal Year Funded: 2022
Effects of OA on Alaskan and Arctic fishes: physiological sensitivity in a changing ecosystem Why we care
There is significant concern about ocean acidification disrupting marine ecosystems, reducing productivity of important..
Project Summary >
Effects of ocean acidification and temperature on Alaskan crabs
  • PI(s): Chris Long
  • Fiscal Year Funded: 2021
Effects of predicted changes in ocean pCO2 and interactions with other stressors on the physiology and behavior of commercially important crabs in Alaska Why we care 
Ocean acidification disrupts the internal..
Project Summary >
Modeling the impact of OA on Alaskan fisheries for decision makers
  • PI(s): Michael Dalton
  • Fiscal Year Funded: 2021
Forecast effects of ocean acidification on Alaska crab and groundfish fisheries Why we care
Ocean acidification (OA) is a multi-disciplinary problem that requires a combination of methods from oceanography, fisheries science,..
Project Summary >
Alaska salmon troller Bay of Pillars in Chatham Strait. Credit: NOAA Fisheries
Assessing risks of ocean acidification in south-central and southeast Alaska
  • PI(s): Tom Hurst
  • Fiscal Year Funded: 2021
Evaluating ocean acidification vulnerability and interactions among traditional and coastal Alaska industries Why we care
Many marine species affected by ocean acidification (OA) contribute to Alaska’s highly productive commercial fisheries and..
Project Summary >
Collecting environmental DNA helps scientists make new discoveries about ocean ecosystems. Image courtesy of ThayerMahan, Inc., Kraken Robotics, and the NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research
Next-Gen gene sequencing to understand effects of ocean acidification on Alaskan crab and fish
  • PI(s): Chris Long
  • Fiscal Year Funded: 2020
Using next-generation sequencing techniques to assess adaptive capacity and illuminate mechanisms underlying the effects of high pCO2 on Alaskan crab and fish species Why we care
Many economically important crab and..
Project Summary >
Physiological response of the red tree coral (Primnoa pacifica) to low pH scenarios in the laboratory
  • PI(s): Bob Stone
  • Fiscal Year Funded: 2010
Deep-sea corals are widespread throughout Alaska, including the continental shelf and upper slope of the Gulf of Alaska, the Aleutian Islands, the eastern Bering Sea, and extending as far north..
Project Summary >
Alaska Ocean Acidification Research: Autonomous Observations of Ocean Acidification in Alaska Coastal Seas
  • PI(s): Jessica Cross
  • Fiscal Year Funded: 2010
This OAP project represents the first contribution of OAP to sustained coastal Alaska OA monitoring through three years (2015-2017) of maintenance of two previously established OA mooring sites located in..
Project Summary >
Effects of OA on Alaskan gadids: sensitivity to variation in prey quality and behavioural response
  • PI(s): Tom Hurst
  • Fiscal Year Funded: 2010
To date many studies of the effects of ocean acidification on fishes have suggested that fish are somewhat resilient to effects on factors such as growth and survival. However, these..
Project Summary >
Forecasting the effects of OA on Alaska crabs and pollock abundance
  • PI(s): Mike Dalton
  • Fiscal Year Funded: 2010
The aim of this project was to forecast effects of ocean acidification on the commercially important Alaska crab stocks including the Bristol Bay red king crab (BBRKC) fishery, which is..
Project Summary >
Physiological response of commercially important crab species to predicted increases in carbon dioxide
  • PI(s): Bob Foy
  • Fiscal Year Funded: 2010
In 2010 and 2011, Alaska Fisheries Science Center (AFSC) scientists at the Kodiak Laboratory in Alaska tested the effects of lower pH due to increased carbon dioxide (CO2) on the..
Project Summary >
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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

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

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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