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Partner: Northwest 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 >
Pteropod shell
Biotic calcification impacts on marine carbon dioxide removal additionality
  • PI(s): Kelly Kearney
  • Fiscal Year Funded: 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026
  • Grant Award # NA23OAR0170515
This project may inform carbon markets and carbon prices/discounts for ocean carbon dioxide removal projects...
Project Summary >
Dungeness crab in a crab hold
Understanding the effects of ocean acidification on Dungeness crab
  • PI(s): Paul McElhany
  • Fiscal Year Funded: 2021, 2022, 2023
This project evaluates the conditions and mechanisms of ocean acidification impacts on Dungeness crabs...
Project Summary >
A small watercraft approaches a monitoring buoy in calm waters in the Salish Sea.
Safe shellfish: tackling ocean acidification and harmful algal blooms in the Salish Sea
  • PI(s): Melissa Peackock, Northwest Indian College
  • Fiscal Year Funded: 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026
This project investigates how ocean acidification and harmful algal blooms (HABs) interact and may increase risks to Salish Sea ecosystems, shellfish, fisheries, coastal economies, and public health...
Project Summary >
Salmon and sablefish responses to elevated carbon dioxide
  • PI(s): Andrew Dittman
  • Fiscal Year Funded: 2021
Resiliency and sensitivity of marine fish to elevated CO2: osmoregulatory neurosensory behavioral and metabolic responses in salmon and sablefish Why we care
Elevated levels of marine carbon dioxide can..
Project Summary >
Oyster grower in Samish Bay next to lines of raised Pacific Oysters on a sunny day. Credit: Puget Sound Partnership
Can Pacific oysters with different genomes mitigate multiple stressors?
  • PI(s): Jacqueline Padilla-Gamiño
  • Fiscal Year Funded: 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
This project investigates how oysters with different number of chromosomes commonly used in shellfish growing tolerate the natural variability of pH, temperature, and dissolved oxygen...
Project Summary >
Surfers walk on Second Beach in the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary. Credit; Matt McIntosh, ONMS/NOAA
The Olympic Coast as a Sentinel: An Integrated Social-Ecological Regional Vulnerability Assessment to Ocean Acidification
  • PI(s): Jan Newton
  • Fiscal Year Funded: 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021
  • Grant Award # NA17OAR0170166
This project merges new social science, sharing of cultural knowledge and a synthesis of scientific information to prepare Olympic Coast Tribes for ocean acidification vulnerabilities...
Project Summary >
Assessing the capacity for evolutionary adaptation to ocean acidification in geoduck
  • PI(s): Rick Goetz
  • Fiscal Year Funded: 2010
We will examine the effects of OA conditions (elevated pCO2) on the adaptive response of a potentially vulnerable native marine mollusc species with ecological, economic and social importance in the..
Project Summary >
Zooplankton OA Exposure Modeling
  • PI(s): Paul McElhany
  • Fiscal Year Funded: 2010
Assessing a species’ risk to ocean acidification (OA) will depend on their duration of exposure to low pH/low saturation state conditions and their sensitivity to low pH conditions. Lab species..
Project Summary >
OA Ecosystem Modeling
  • PI(s): Paul McElhany
  • Fiscal Year Funded: 2010
Ecosystem models are used to estimate the potential direct and indirect effects of ocean acidification (OA) on marine resources.  The population abundance and distribution of species that are sensitive to..
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