NOAA Ocean Acidification Program

NOAA Ocean Acidification Program is sponsored by NOAA Ocean Acidification Program. Supports research on the impacts of ocean acidification on marine ecosystems and coastal communities.

Home - NOAA Ocean Acidification Program National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Ocean Acidification Program We study our changing ocean to better understand impacts of ocean acidification and how to adapt. How is ocean chemistry changing? What marine life and people are vulnerable?

How can we adapt to changing ocean chemistry impacts? Acidification is happening now along our oceans and coasts People are already seeing the impacts of ocean acidification on marine life and ecosystems they depend on. NOAA’s Ocean Acidification Program better prepares society to respond to ocean, coastal and Great Lakes acidification by fostering research and through partnerships.

NOAA launches fourth East Coast Ocean Acidification mission NOAA launched the fourth East Coast Ocean Acidification (ECOA-4) research cruise to monitor ocean acidification and impacts on marine resources....

Check out the latest posts from the Ocean Acidification Program NOAA launches fourth East Coast Ocean Acidification mission NOAA launched the fourth East Coast Ocean Acidification (ECOA-4) research cruise to monitor ocean acidification and impacts on marine resources.

Sea to shining sea: NOAA launches dual coastwide ocean acidification research missions NOAA launches dual coastwide ocean acidification research cruises (ECOA-4, WCOA 2026) to track ocean chemistry and impacts on marine resources this June.

Virtual screening of “Changing Waters: Time for Action on Coastal Acidification” Join us for the virtual screening of “Changing Waters: Time for Action on Coastal Acidification” produced by the OA Alliance and hosted by the Coastal Featured Ocean Acidification Projects Visit our Projects Search to learn about all of our active projects.

Enhancing the adaptive capacity of the Atlantic sea scallop fishery PI(s): Samantha Siedlecki, University of Connecticut; Shannon Meseck, NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service; Robert Murphy Jr, NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service Fiscal Year Funded: 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028 Grant Award # NA25OARX017C0010-T1-01 Commercial Fisheries Research Foundation , NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) , Rutgers University , University of Connecticut , University of Maryland This project will enhance the adaptive capacity of the Atlantic sea scallop fishery to ocean acidification and ocean change...

OA adaptation strategies for shellfish aquaculture in the Chesapeake Bay PI(s): Emily Rivest, Virginia Institute of Marine Science Fiscal Year Funded: 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028 Grant Award # NA25OARX017G0008-T1-01 NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) , Oregon State University , Virginia Department of Environmental Quality , Virginia Institute of Marine Science This project produces a dashboard for Chesapeake Bay users to assist with adaptive strategies for ocean and coastal acidification...

Assessing ocean and coastal acidification resilience in Louisiana PI(s): Robert Iles, Louisiana State University Fiscal Year Funded: 2025, 2026, 2027 Grant Award # NA25OARX017G0012-T1-01 Louisiana State University , University of Louisiana Lafayette This work will assess the economic and community impacts of ocean and coastal acidification within coastal Louisiana to assist adaptive planning...

Developing tools for resiliency planning in Southeast Alaska PI(s): Hekia Bodwitch (University of Alaska Southeast), Davin Holen (Alaska Sea Grant and University of Alaska, Fairbanks), Kari Lanphier (Southeast Alaska Tribal Ocean Research Consortium) Fiscal Year Funded: 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028 Grant Award # NA25OARX017G0010-T1-01 Alaska Sea Grant , Southeast Alaska Tribal Ocean Research Consortium (SEATOR) , University of Alaska, Fairbanks (UAF) This project provides tools communities and decision makers in Southeast Alaska can use for assessing vulnerability and resilience to ocean acidification and inform adaptive strategies...

Advancing resilience of Maine’s shellfisheries PI(s): Katherine Mills, Gulf of Maine Research Institute; Jared Wildwistle, Gulf of Maine Research Institute Fiscal Year Funded: 2025, 2026, 2027 Grant Award # NA25OARX017G0019-T1-01 Casco Bay Estuary Partnership , Friends of Casco Bay , Gulf of Maine Research Institute (GMRI) , Island Institute , Maine Aquaculture Innovation Center , University of Maine This project assesses the potential risk to the shellfish industry from changing ocean chemistry and is a critical step in advancing resilience in Maine’s shellfisheries...

Tools informing ocean change planning for Tribal managers in coastal Washington PI(s): Jan Newton, University of Washington Fiscal Year Funded: 2025, 2026, 2027 Grant Award # NA25OARX017G0016-T1-01 Hoh Tribe , Makah Tribe , Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory (PMEL) , Quileute Tribe , Quinault Indian Nation , University of Connecticut , University of Washington , Washington Sea Grant This project provides practical information and products to support adaptation planning for coastal tribes in Washington...

Fatoata: Sami a Taeao (Tomorrow’s Ocean) PI(s): Vera Peck, Fatoata Fiscal Year Funded: 2024, 2025, 2026 Grant Award # NA25OARX017G0001-T1-01 Fatoata , National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa This project provides new ocean acidification education to communities in American Samoa...

Ocean Acidification Science in Schools (OASIS) PI(s): Karen Peluso-Galaviz, Marine Science Institute Fiscal Year Funded: 2024, 2025, 2026 Grant Award # NA25OARX017G0004-T1-01 This project provides a hands-on ocean and coastal acidification curriculum to students from coastal communities in Redwood City, California...

Broadening Ocean Acidification Teaching and Learning (BOATL) PI(s): Julie Van Sickle, Natural History Museum of Cal Poly Humboldt, Jeffrey White, Cal Poly Humboldt Fiscal Year Funded: 2024, 2025, 2026 Grant Award # NA25OARX017G0005-T1-01 Cal Poly Humboldt , Natural History Museum of Cal Poly Humboldt Broadening Ocean Acidification Teaching and Learning (BOATL) offers teacher professional development and ocean acidification science education to schools and local Tribes...

Get involved with ocean acidification The NOAA Ocean Acidification Program exists to meet the ocean acidification research and monitoring needs of the U.S. See how you can get involved to serve your community and participate in cutting-edge research and education and outreach.

Bioeconomic modeling to inform Alaska fisheries management Image credit: Allen Shimada, NOAA NMFS Bioeconomic models are a multidisciplinary tool that use oceanography, fisheries science and social science to assess socioeconomic impacts.

Funded by the Ocean Acidification Program, researchers at the Alaska Fisheries Science Center use a bioeconomic model to study the impacts of ocean acidification on Eastern Bering Sea crab, northern rock sole and Alaska cod. The goal is to predict how ocean acidification will affect abundance yields and income generated by the fisheries.

This work informs the potential economic impacts of ocean acidification and future decision making and research planning. Effects of ocean acidification and temperature on Alaskan crabs 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.

Forecasts for Alaska Fisheries 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 .

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: 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 Using these models and predictions as tools to facilitate management strategies that will protect marine resources and communities from future changes Developing innovative tools to help monitor ocean acidification and mitigate changing ocean chemistry locally 50 more ways to reduce your carbon footprint > 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.

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 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 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: 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!

Participate in habitat restoration efforts to restore habitats that help mitigate the effects of coastal acidification Facilitate conversations with local businesses that might be affected by ocean acidification, building a plan for the future.

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. 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