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The Southeast Ocean and Coastal Acidification Network: Elevating ocean acidification in the Southeast

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In 2015, the Southeast Ocean and Coastal Acidification Network (SOCAN) was formed to bring together an interdisciplinary group of scientists, resource managers, industry, non-profit, and government representatives to address ocean acidification in the Southeast. The Southeast Coastal Ocean Observing Regional Association (SECOORA) partnered with the NOAA Ocean Acidification Program to launch SOCAN, and serves as its administrative and fiscal home. SOCAN builds collaboration among its members in order to coordinate monitoring, synthesize research, and better communicate with stakeholders. SOCAN is one of six regional networks in the country coordinating ocean and coastal acidification activities and is structured around working groups, similar to other networks.

SOCAN is currently led by coordinators Emily Hall, Senior Scientist and Program Manager at Mote Marine Lab and Janet Reimer, University of Delaware, who respectively lead the science working group and stakeholder working groups.

“One thing that makes SOCAN unique is the diversity of the Southeast region, which has a range of climate, temperature, and distinct ecosystems,” Hall explains.

The region includes coral reefs, mangroves, seagrass beds, and estuaries, which will all be affected by acidification differently. While addressing acidification over such a diverse region is challenging, SOCAN has found it helpful to leverage their partnership with their sister network, the Gulf of America Coastal Acidification Network (GCAN). The two networks overlap on the west coast of Florida, and engage some of the same stakeholder groups. SOCAN has greatly benefited from the partnership and collaborative efforts shared between the two groups, as they work together on proposals and share wisdom with each other.

Background Image: Members of the Southeast Ocean and Coastal Acidification Network

From the beginning, a central focus of SOCAN has been to provide up-to-date information about the state of acidification science and research in the region. The SOCAN Steering Committee convened a state of the science workshop in 2016 to develop community consensus regarding the current state of knowledge for acidification in the Southeast and identified future research priorities. More recently, SOCAN published a paper in 2020 with an updated synthesis of ocean acidification research and priorities for research and monitoring for the region.

In addition to identifying and elevating research and monitoring priorities, SOCAN also focuses on building partnerships with various community members through its stakeholder working group. Soon after it was formed, SOCAN held two large stakeholder workshops, and they continue to gather input through town halls. Some of the stakeholders SOCAN has engaged include the Gullah Geechee people, shellfish farmers, the Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary, National Estuarine Research Reserves and National Estuary Programs. SOCAN has seen an increasing number of resource managers in the Southeast include ocean acidification in various management plans, which is a big step in increasing the visibility of acidification as an issue.

One challenge that SOCAN faces is that often stakeholders are more concerned about other environmental threats, such as harmful algal blooms. Hall shares, “A lot of people don’t see ocean acidification as an immediate issue.”

While this can make it tricky to convince people to take action now, SOCAN is building a community that is invested in addressing this important problem. Looking forward, they are planning a workshop for December 2021 in support of a new report by the Interagency Working Group on Ocean Acidification. One of the main focuses of this report will be addressing what is known about social and economic impacts of ocean acidification in the region, giving SOCAN an opportunity to continue engaging new stakeholders.

Background Image: Harmful algal bloom

In addition to working on the various synthesis reports, SOCAN also brings experts together to work on various proposals for new research or monitoring. They have seen an increasing number of shellfish industry stakeholders engage in the proposal writing process, which has strengthened interdisciplinary partnerships. These proposals also serve as a way to elevate the issue of coastal acidification to various funding agencies and groups.

Overall, SOCAN has seen a growth in ocean and coastal acidification research in the region since its conception, but significant knowledge gaps remain. Reimer shares, “A big challenge is the relative lack of ocean and coastal acidification monitoring in the Southeast.”

SOCAN, through SECOORA IOOS funding, is looking forward to adding a new sensor in the Florida Keys, which will answer an important question about the role the Gulf of Mexico Loop Current plays in ocean acidification in that location. Filling in monitoring gaps will allow SOCAN to better assess the long-term trends in ocean chemistry and understand how acidification could lead to economic impacts, something that will be important in order to successfully build support for action to address the ocean acidification in the Southeast.

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Title image: Fishing vessel at dock Credit: North Carolina Sea Grant Image 1: Members of the Southeast Coastal Acidification Network stepping outside during a workshop to discuss the state of the science. Image 2: Harmful algal blooms as seen from satellite imagery. Credit: NOAA Image 3: Underwater view of Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Credit: NOAA

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