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Building Partnerships around Ocean Acidification on the East Coast: The Mid-Atlantic Coastal Acidification Network

Clam fisherman adjusting lines in water.

Collaboration often lies at the heart of successfully navigating environmental change, and this is evident for how states on the East Coast are approaching ocean acidification. Our ocean’s waters are increasing in acidity, primarily from absorbing carbon dioxide emissions from the atmosphere. In the Mid-Atlantic, increased freshwater runoff and nutrient pollution can also increase the acidity of coastal waters. Increasing acidity threatens many marine animals, including shellfish like the economically important Eastern oyster, which has a harder time building its shell in acidified water.

The Mid-Atlantic Coastal Acidification Network (MACAN) was formed to bring together scientists, resource managers, tribal, federal, and state agency representatives, and affected industry representatives to address acidification on a regional level. Members of the group work together to discuss what is known about ocean acidification science in the region, what the priorities are for future research and monitoring, and to communicate what the potential impacts to marine species may be and how communities can adapt to changing conditions. Most of the network’s activities take place through its four working groups, which are focused on science, outreach, industry, and policy.

Background Image: muddy oysters in hands

MACAN is a collaboration between the Mid-Atlantic Regional Council on the Ocean (MARCO) and the Mid-Atlantic Regional Association Coastal Ocean Observing System (MARACOOS). The partnership between these two organizations in supporting MACAN highlights the strengths of each and how they complement each other. For example, the MARACOOS OceansMap provides ocean, coastal, and estuarine data, including observing data, past and real time, and predictions for ocean acidification in the Chesapeake Bay, while MARCO’s Mid-Atlantic Ocean Data Portal uses ocean data to create maps and other tools for decision makers. Avalon Bristow, MACAN co-coordinator and Program Director for MARCO explains how MACAN fits into MARCO’s priorities, “Because one of MARCO’s priorities is climate change adaptation, we want to make sure our coastal economies and communities are prepared for and understand if, when, and where acidification events may occur in the Mid-Atlantic.”

MACAN worked with both organizations on one of their early priorities, which was to support increased monitoring of ocean acidification in the region. Monitoring is a crucial first step in understanding what marine resources could be impacted by changing chemistry. MACAN developed a series of maps that show where ocean acidification monitoring is taking place. These maps are hosted on the Mid-Atlantic Ocean Data Portal and show where monitoring for ocean acidification is occurring, what data parameters are being collected and what platform they are being collected from, such as a ship or buoy. Bristow shares, “These maps can be used to identify where there are gaps in monitoring. If there’s a large area with no monitoring, that could inform researchers of an area to prioritize.” MACAN members used these maps to develop and describe monitoring priorities.

Background Image: Chesapeake Bay OA buoy

Looking ahead, MACAN is planning to revisit these monitoring priorities and continue discussing how to build a regional ocean acidification monitoring network at an upcoming Fall 2021 workshop, which is being planned in partnership with the OA Alliance (You can learn more and register for the workshop here).

In addition to informing monitoring and research needs, MACAN serves a critical role in providing information to people who rely on the marine resources that are threatened by ocean acidification, including recreational fishermen, commercial fisheries, and tribes. MACAN distributed a stakeholder survey to learn more about the concerns of different industry members. One of the main findings in the survey report was that recreational fishermen didn’t know much about ocean acidification, but were eager to find out more. This led to MACAN hosting a “Hooked on Ocean Acidification” webinar series, where scientists shared their expertise on the science and impacts of ocean acidification with recreational anglers. Mary Ford, co-coordinator of MACAN and Director of Engagement & External Relations for MARACOOS explains how this was a huge success, “Connecting stakeholder needs to data driven solutions is critical to the work that MARACOOS does. MACAN provides a key platform for commercial and recreational fisherman to connect with researchers to understand impacts of acidification and work together to identify needs and best practices.”

Background Image: View from a recreational angler boat

MACAN also engages state governments in the Mid-Atlantic, many of which have started addressing ocean acidification through state planning efforts, either through a specific ocean acidification action plan or through a larger climate action plan. As these states start moving from planning towards implementation, MACAN is stepping in to see how they can help states advance their goals by connecting them with scientists and other resources from the group. This will be another focus of the upcoming workshop, and MACAN is excited to explore how they can support this effort.

MACAN’s work is crucial to advancing understanding of how ocean acidification might affect the Mid-Atlantic region. Through their collaborative efforts, the network is sharing information with the people who need it and helping them understand how ocean acidification fits into the bigger picture of all the other changes affecting our ocean.

Background Image: Mid-Atlantic coastal community

Credits:

Title image: Credit: Susan McLean, MARCO Image 1: Eastern oysters in the hands of a farmer Credit: Susan McLean, MARCO Image 2: A buoy that monitors ocean acidification in the Chesapeake Bay Credit: NOAA Image 3: View from on board a recreational angler boat Credit: NOAA Fisheries Image 4: Coastal community in the Mid-Atlantic Credit: Tom Lozinski, MARCO

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