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Our ocean: blue, green, water, life

Background image: Panorama of a sunset at the beach

“No water, no life. No Blue, no green.” – Dr. Sylvia Earle.

This quote by marine biologist Dr. Sylvia Earle, President and Chairperson for Mission Blue and The Sylvia Earle Alliance, and an ocean campaigner, succinctly highlights the importance of The Ocean; all life on the planet, as well as many livelihoods, are intrinsically linked to The Ocean. Dr. Earle is being featured as part of the United Nations World Oceans Day 2021, which this year will focus on “The Ocean: Life and Livelihoods”.

Within NOAA’s Ocean Acidification Program (OAP), this World Oceans Day theme rings true in many aspects of our work – we make it a priority to work closely with stakeholders to determine future research needs and fill knowledge gaps, and conduct outreach and education surrounding ocean acidification.

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Within the Pacific Islands, NOAA’s OAP is working in collaboration with The Ocean Foundation to build capacity in the region, providing training on how to make OA measurements efficiently and accurately. In addition, ‘GOA-ON in-a-box’ kits have been distributed by the Global Ocean Acidification Observing Network (GOA-ON) worldwide to enable local communities to carry out ocean acidification measurements, empowering them to monitor the local ecosystems on which they may rely for livelihoods.

NOAA’s OAP also works with The Ocean Foundation and GOA-ON to sustain and build the Pier2Peer mentorship program. This program matches up experienced ocean acidification scientists with mentees interested in expanding their research skills (i.e., data collection, analysis, experimental design etc.), aiding in the professional development of marine scientists worldwide. Currently, the program includes 180 mentees and 75 mentors, with 76 matched and active pairs.

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The most recent issue of ‘The Pier Review’, a bimonthly newsletter which informs Pier2Peer members of the latest news (i.e., upcoming conferences, webinars, funding, job opportunities, and open access literature), highlights the work of Natalie Monacci of the University of Alaska, Fairbanks, and her mentee, Dr. Abraham Ekperusi of the University of Nigeria. While they have not been able to meet in person due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, they have cultivated their relationship virtually and with much success! It has been heartwarming to see the passion and dedication of these, and many other, Pier2Peer members during the past 15 months.

Dr. Abraham Ekperusi at the Nigerian Maritime University (NMU) and Natalie Monacci at the University of Alaska Fairbanks began their Pier2Peer partnership in June 2020. Three months into the global pandemic, they were both well versed in virtual meetings and were able to begin sharing knowledge remotely. During video calls and email exchanges they discussed best practices, upcoming workshops and conferences, and emerging literature. In February 2021, Natalie was able to virtually meet the newly formed NMU Ocean Acidification Team to give them a lab tour, demonstrating analysis of discrete seawater samples as well as use of autonomous sensors she was preparing for an upcoming deployment.

Background Image: Nigerian Ocean Acidification Team

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They share about their experience in the Pier Review:

“Natalie has been of immense help to me as a mentor and to the NMU OA Team. She’s provided the relevant resources needed for a newcomer into the OA field. Aside from always being available for regular meetings, her wealth of knowledge and experience in the field has guided our team in the course of planning and conducting chemical monitoring along the Niger Delta coastline. She is always ready to advise and answer any questions that were presented to her prior to the team starting our fieldwork. She always provides us with relevant and upcoming events and literature in the field. In the real sense, she is like a mentor to the entire team. She is the unseen hand guiding the team in our journey into ocean acidification science and research.”

~ Dr. Abraham Ekperusi

“The work Dr. Abraham and the entire NMU OA Team are doing is extraordinary. I feel like a member of their team and cannot wait for what comes next”, Monacci says. Nearly a year into this partnership, Abraham and Natalie are working on obtaining funding for an in-person training on monitoring techniques and data management at the Ocean Acidification Research Center in Fairbanks, Alaska. ~Dr. Natalie Monacci

Not only does this year’s World Oceans Day theme of “The Ocean: Life and Livelihoods” highlight the connection of The Ocean to many aspects of life, no matter where you live, it also highlights the way in which it can connect people, no matter where you live.

“No water, no life. No blue, no green.” – Dr. Sylvia Earle.

Background Image: Man with fishing net walking on the beach toward the ocean

Credits:

Title image: Beach sunset panorama” Credit: Pexels Image 1: “In the water legs feet” Credit: pasja1000 Image 2: Scientist at our Ocean Acidification Monitoring Workshop Credit: The Ocean Foundation Image 3: The Nigerian Maritime University ocean acidification team Image 4: “Person ocean people” Credit: HangNelson67

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

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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