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Forging Connections between Industry and Scientists: The Start of the California Current Acidification Network

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Over a decade ago, California sea urchin diver Bruce Steele discovered a scientific paper suggesting that sea urchins-the source of his livelihood-were facing a new threat called ocean acidification. At the time, there was very little research or information being shared among the West Coast fishing industry about how this change in ocean chemistry caused by the absorption of carbon dioxide emissions could impact sea urchins or other species.

Steele was hoping that the West Coast states could join together to address the potential impacts from ocean acidification to shellfish and fisheries. Former Director of California Sea Grant Russ Moll connected Steele to the Pacific Coast Shellfish Growers Association to coordinate an industry response. This group was worried about the large scale die-offs at oyster hatcheries in the Pacific Northwest that first started in 2006. There was still disagreement over the cause, but some were starting to propose that it was from acidified ocean water, which could be corrosive to settling oyster larvae.

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In 2010, growing concern about the impacts of ocean acidification prompted the Southern California Coastal Water Research Project (SCCWRP) to host the Ocean Acidification Impacts on Shellfish Workshop, supported through California Ocean Science Trust, the U.S. Integrated Ocean Observation System (IOOS) program, and the four West Coast Sea Grant programs. The workshop brought together scientists, government representatives, and industry members, including Steele and his wife Diane Pleschner-Steele, Executive Director of the California Wetfish Producers Association.

Several important presentations helped the workshop attendees definitively conclude that the oyster hatchery failures were a result of ocean acidification. Dr. Richard Feely, senior scientist at NOAA’s Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory, highlighted data from a 2007 NOAA research cruise, which measured evidence of acidified seawater off the West Coast. Alan Barton from Whiskey Creek Shellfish Hatchery shared important results from his study that showed oysters were sensitive to ocean acidification. Over the course of the workshop, the participants were able to definitively say that the oyster hatchery failures were a result of ocean acidification. As the ocean acidifies from absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, it becomes harder for oysters and other shellfish to build their calcium carbonate shells because carbonate ions (their building blocks) become less available.

One of the biggest successes of the workshop was the connections made between industry and scientists. Discussions at the workshop fostered collaborations with industry members that led to the establishment of cooperative monitoring at hatcheries, where industry members were able to help scientists validate sensors for monitoring in coastal areas. This collaboration was essential in developing an ocean acidification monitoring roadmap for the West Coast. Steve Weisberg, Executive Director of SCCWRP, described, “The biggest problem was that most of the monitoring was taking place off-shore, since it wasn’t thought of as a coastal issue. We had to figure out how to move the monitoring closer to shore.”

Background Image: Thomas Grimm, owner of the Carlsbad Aquafarm, shows the Southern California Coastal Ocean Observing System (SCCOOS) team the Floating Upwelling System (FLUPSY) he employs to grow young oysters.

Collaboration between the three regional IOOS Associations along the Pacific coast with shellfish growers and NOAA’s Ocean Acidification Program has led to ocean acidification variables being monitored on existing coastal buoys and within shellfish growers’ hatcheries and grow-out areas. Monitoring in real-time has allowed hatcheries to instantly detect corrosive conditions and react by buffering water or choosing a different time to intake sea water. This gave shellfish growers a strategy to avoid the impacts of acidified seawater moving forward. This workshop was also where industry members learned that they needed to know aragonite saturation state of the water, a measurement that helps indicate how at risk calcifying animals are from acidifying water.

Steele and other industry members saw how valuable this collaboration and information exchange was and wanted to keep the momentum going. This call for continued collaboration between industry and scientists led to the creation of the California Current Acidification Network (C-CAN).

Background Image: Whiskey Creek and other hatcheries have installed continuous water monitoring and treatment systems. 

Engaging industry members remains a top priority for C-CAN as they expand ocean acidification monitoring beyond measuring the chemistry of the seawater to include biological measurements as well, such as measuring abundance of phytoplankton, which make up the base of the ocean food web or shell dissolution of pteropods (a calcified zooplankter), as an indicator for ocean acidification. C-CAN is working to identify biological thresholds and indicator species that when monitored can give an indication of how the marine ecosystem is being impacted by ocean acidification. Pleschner-Steele highlights how crucial it is to partner with fisherpeople, saying, “It’s important to engage the fishermen and document what they’re seeing in the water.” As they keep collaboration at the forefront, C-CAN is continuing to advance their monitoring roadmap as they look ahead.

Today, there are six different Coastal Acidification Networks representing different regions of the country, and C-CAN is the only one directly initiated by industry members. The group continues to bring together industry members and scientists, along with federal, state, and tribal governments to address the impacts of ocean acidification to the West Coast.

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Title image: Avery Resor and Catherine O’Hare check the lines of Gracilaria on Hog Island Oyster Farm. Credit: Shaun Wolfe Image 1: Diver holds red sea urchin while diving on California Coast Credit: California Sea Grant/liamkmc/iNaturalist Image 2: Thomas Grimm, owner of the Carlsbad Aquafarm, shows the Southern California Coastal Ocean Observing System (SCCOOS) team the Floating Upwelling System (FLUPSY) he employs to grow young oysters. Credit: Southern California Coastal Ocean Observing SystemImage 3: Whiskey Creek and other hatcheries have installed continuous water monitoring and treatment systems. Credit: Courtesy of Jesse Vance Image 4: “Ocean coast California” Credit: Foundry

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