Until now, ocean acidification has not been deemed to have crossed its ‘planetary boundary’, but a major new study led by the UK’s Plymouth Marine Laboratory and the US-based NOAA – also launched this week – found the safety limit was reached five years ago.
Marking a significant milestone in Indigenous-led environmental stewardship, the Makah Tribe of Noah Bay in Washington has detailed the launch of their Ocean Acidification Action Plan during the 2025 United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice, France this week.
The announcement was made during a special side event hosted by the International Alliance to Combat Ocean Acidification in recognition of the gathering political momentum surrounding action on ocean acidification.
An alarming report was issued this week to coincide with the UN Ocean Conference in which scientists warned that ocean acidification was a ‘ticking time bomb’ and far worse than first feared.
Until now, ocean acidification has not been deemed to have crossed its ‘planetary boundary’, but a major new study led by the UK’s Plymouth Marine Laboratory and the US-based NOAA has found this safety limit was reached five years ago.
It’s a crisis that is contributing to the pressures being faced by coral reef ecosystems, the loss of habitats, and a threat to the survival for shell-building marine creatures by reducing the availability of calcium carbonate – a crucial building block that many of these marine organisms need to form shells and skeletons.
For Millennia, the Makah People’s culture, well-being, and economy have been intrinsically linked to the ocean’s bounty, with fish, shellfish, and other marine resources playing a role in food security, livelihoods, and cultural practices and traditions.
But today, many of the marine species on which the Makah tribe’s livelihood and traditions depend are at risk from ocean acidification.
It occurs when the ocean absorbs excess carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, setting off chemical reactions that acidifies seawater. This chemical alteration threatens marine organisms that rely on carbonate-based shells and skeletons, creating cascading effects that can knock entire marine ecosystems out of balance.
The Makah tribe is located in a region that was the first in the world to observe the impacts of changing ocean chemistry on traditional foods, including shellfish. Their Action Plan is a decisive step towards addressing this critical issue with Indigenous perspectives and priorities, combined with scientific research.
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While here at the UN Ocean Conference, Makah Tribe Natural Resource Policy lead, Mr Anthony Bitegeko was joined by the Portuguese Secretary of State of Fisheries and Maritime Affairs, Salvador Malheiro as well as Ms Mette Westergaard Bech, team leader on Ocean Acidification, Ministry of Environment and Gender Equality for Denmark to release the Ocean Acidification Action Plans.
They join countries such as Greece, Mexico, Fiji, Palau, Canada, and the UK in creating an action plan.
Key components of the action plan include integrating ocean acidification across mainstream climate, ocean, and coastal management plans; establishing cross-sector partnerships to ensure regional ocean acidification science is being applied to local decision making; developing educational initiatives; and advocating for policy changes at local, state, and federal levels.
“It’s clear that governments can no longer afford to overlook acidification in mainstream policy agendas,” said Ocean Acidification Alliance execrative director, Jessie Turner.
“That’s why we are so proud and encouraged by members of the National Ocean Acidification Action Planning Leadership Circle as they do the hard work to ensure that action on ocean acidification and climate change is a critical part of domestic and multilateral agendas.”
The Makah Tribe’s story is just one of many, with coastal communities around the world already concerned about the impact of ocean acidification.
Professor Steve Widdicombe, co-chair of the Global Ocean Acidification Observing Network and the co-focal point for the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 14 target 3 – aiming to minimise and address the impacts of ocean acidification.
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Oceanographic, 12 June 2025. Full article.
