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Partner: Northeast Fisheries Science Center

A full view of a sea scallop sitting on top of a pile of sea scallops shells.
Adaptive capacity to ocean acidification and warming by Atlantic sea scallops
  • PI(s): Samuel J. Gurr, NOAA Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC) Milford Lab
  • Fiscal Year Funded: 2024, 2025, 2026
This project builds and maps the Atlantic sea scallop genome and uses transplant experiments and genomics to determine the capacity to adapt or acclimate to ocean acidification and warming...
Project Summary >
Three Atlantic surfclams in a person's hand. Credit: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute
Susceptibility of Atlantic Surfclams Grown in the Coastal Ocean to Multiple Environmental Stressors
  • PI(s): Daphne Monroe
  • Fiscal Year Funded: 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
This project will expand our understanding of multistressors on surfclams and provide farmers and the surfclam fishing sector with commercially relevant information for farm-scale business planning...
Project Summary >
Juvenile Atlantic sea scallops in an experimental tank. Credit: NOAA Fisheries
Assessing vulnerability of the Atlantic Sea Scallop social-ecological system in the northeast waters of the US
  • PI(s): Samantha Siedlecki, Lisa Colburn and Shannon Meseck
  • Fiscal Year Funded: 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
The project’s main objective is to determine the social and ecological vulnerability of the sea scallop fishery to ocean acidification and temperature changes...
Project Summary >
Flexing mussels: Does Mytilus edulis have the capacity to overcome effects of Ocean Acidification?
  • PI(s): Dianna Padilla, Lisa Milke, Shannon Meseck
  • Fiscal Year Funded: 2016
We are likely to see "winners", those species or individuals that are most resilient in the face of climate change, and "losers" those species or individuals that are least capable..
Project Summary >

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