Ocean Acidification - Climate Change Research

Alaska Sea Grant recently announced the availability of new climate change-related publications.

"Ocean Acidification and Fisheries: Alaska's Challenge and Response" was authored by Marine Advisory agent Torie Baker. In the article the author describes how ocean acidification impacts Alaska’s seas and explores ocean acidification topics that Alaska researchers focus on and why.

Commercially important shellfish are a top research priority because of their economic value and because they are likely to suffer direct effects of reduced calcium carbonate availability.

Terry Johnson added three new climate adaptation fact sheets to the website Adapting to Climate Change in Coastal Alaska: Fisheries Effects, Harmful Algal Blooms, and Species Shifts.

The Alaska Sea Grant Marine Advisory Program project brings a marine-dependent community perspective to climate change adaptation issues by supplying adaption tools, fact sheets, and videos. The project is supported by the Alaska Center for Climate Assessment and Policy (ACCAP).

Each of the documents can be obtained at the Alaska Sea Grant bookstore.

source: Alaska Sea Grant

Seafood Workshop Features Research on Effects of Ocean Acidification

A free workshop for seafood producers about ocean acidification’s effect on marine life will be held on Monday, Dec. 6 at 6 p.m. at the Gulf of Maine Research Institute in Portland. Dr. Mark Green, an oceanographer who teaches environmental science at Saint Joseph’s College, will talk about his research over the last eight years tracking acidification’s effects on shellfish in the Gulf of Maine. He will talk about what has already happened to the Gulf’s ecosystem, as well as what can be done to keep Maine’s seafood industry thriving.

Seafood harvesters and crews are welcome to bring their questions. The Gulf of Maine Research Institute is at 350 Commercial St. in Portland. The ocean acidification workshop is co-hosted by Saint Joseph’s College of Maine, the Gulf of Maine Research Institute and the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership. 893-7723.