Coastal ecosystems face multiple stressors, and their responses are magnified by global stressors associated with climate change, such as warming and ocean acidification (OA). Oyster farming are vulnerable to the effects of these stressors. Environmental monitoring technologies have been proposed as an adaptive strategy to OA. This study examined the perceptions of the oyster farmers in Bahía San Quintín, Mexico, toward this strategy. Through surveys and workshops, we identified the main challenges oyster farmers face in their industry, their level of awareness about OA, and their openness to adopting new technologies. Most respondents (66 %) did not recognize OA, which suggests that they had a low perception of its risks and its potential consequences for their activities. The most frequent problems were environmental issues (48 %), such as extreme temperature events, biofouling, and predation, followed by limited technical and financial resources (34 %). Recognizing the negative effect that high temperatures have on their activity, especially during El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events, is a positive outcome, as it allows them to adopt strategies to cope with OA. The main barriers to adopt new technologies were related to management issues (56 %), including a lack of economic resources. We recommend that interactions between oyster producers, academia, and governmental actors must be strengthened to promote environmental monitoring, thus improving their adaptive capacity and reducing potential impacts of stressors on their industry, such as climate change and OA. This study case is a valuable reference for other oyster farming communities in similar environmental and socio-economic contexts.
Continue reading ‘Perceptions of oyster farmers on adopting environmental monitoring technologies to mitigate ocean acidification: a case study in Bahía San Quintín, México’Posts Tagged 'socio-economy'
Perceptions of oyster farmers on adopting environmental monitoring technologies to mitigate ocean acidification: a case study in Bahía San Quintín, México
Published 19 November 2025 Science ClosedTags: fisheries, mitigation, North Pacific, socio-economy
A framework for assessing global health impacts of polar change: an urgent call for interdisciplinary research
Published 18 November 2025 Science ClosedTags: policy, review, socio-economy
Research on the human health risks of climate change is expanding, yet the influence of polar region shifts on these risks remains underexplored. This paper presents a framework to assess global and regional health risks stemming from polar physical changes. The polar regions are experiencing rapid environmental transformations, including melting ice, ocean warming, ocean acidification, permafrost thaw, intensifying wildfires, and alterations to jet streams, ocean currents. These changes can amplify global risks, affecting human health even in distant regions. The paper identifies potential cascading impacts on health and well-being via drivers such as extreme weather, heat stress, air, water quality, food supply, safety, vector ecology, and sea-level rise. A scoping review was conducted by an international team of public health and polar experts to support thematic categorization of regional and global health risks. The paper advocates integrating these amplified risks into health impact assessments through interdisciplinary, international collaboration to inform future policy responses.
Continue reading ‘A framework for assessing global health impacts of polar change: an urgent call for interdisciplinary research’Ocean acidification global perspectives and India’s path forward
Published 29 October 2025 Science ClosedTags: Indian, policy, review, socio-economy
Ocean acidification (OA) poses a significant global threat to marine ecosystems, fisheries, and coastal livelihoods. While several countries have established robust monitoring and mitigation strategies, many regions, including India, are still developing comprehensive responses. Given India’s heavy reliance on ocean-based resources, it is crucial to integrate OA considerations into national marine policies to safeguard biodiversity, support sustainable seafood production, and protect vulnerable coastal communities. In alignment with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Target 14.3, which calls for enhanced scientific cooperation and monitoring to address OA, this review highlights key gaps in India’s current OA research and policy landscape. It proposes a strategic framework encompassing improved monitoring systems, socio-ecological impact assessments, and targeted policy interventions. By fostering a holistic and collaborative approach, the study aims to strengthen India’s OA resilience and contribute to broader global mitigation efforts.
Continue reading ‘Ocean acidification global perspectives and India’s path forward’Japan shellfish farmer perceptions of ocean acidification, adaptive strategies and comparison with global shellfish farmers
Published 24 October 2025 Science ClosedTags: fisheries, mitigation, North Pacific, policy, socio-economy
Ocean acidification (OA) poses significant threats to shellfish aquaculture. Although governments and organizations around the globe are taking actions to mitigate the impacts of OA, few studies directly report shellfish farmer perceptions of OA and corresponding responses. In this study, we document Japanese shellfish (oyster) commercial farmer perceptions of, and adaptive strategies for OA with respect to oyster aquaculture. We also review and compare our results with existing studies of shellfish commercial farmer perceptions of OA in three regions, including the United States (U.S.), the Mediterranean region and British Columbia, Canada. We found variation in the perceptions of OA around the globe; it is common among all shellfish farmers to have difficulty distinguishing OA from other environmental stressors. OA adaptive strategies from shellfish farmers were only reported for the U.S. (in the literature), and Japan (this study). Acknowledging the diverse geographical and cultural backgrounds, we discussed the similarity and difference of adaptive strategies between the U.S. (as a post-event case with documented OA-related shellfish mortality) and Japan (as a pre-event case) to cope with OA. For example, farmers from both countries suggest, or are already utilizing flexibility in farm management and applying knowledge through hands-on learning. While U.S. farmers rely on networking with different stakeholders to learn about OA knowledge and solutions while Japanese farmers do not. Learning from the strategies that U.S. farmers applied to adapt to OA events, several areas of policies and actions (e.g., financial support, collaboration with scientists and OA awareness enhancement) were identified to better support and empower Japanese shellfish farmers to adapt to future OA scenarios. However, future study on suitability and transferability of implementing policies and actions in Japan is required due to different geographical and cultural contexts.
Continue reading ‘Japan shellfish farmer perceptions of ocean acidification, adaptive strategies and comparison with global shellfish farmers’A tri-national initiative to advance understanding of coastal and ocean acidification in the Gulf of Mexico/Gulf of America
Published 23 October 2025 Science ClosedTags: North Atlantic, policy, review, socio-economy
The Gulf of Mexico’s (also recognized by the United States government as the Gulf of America; herein referred to as “the Gulf”) valuable and diverse marine, coastal, and estuarine environments sustain many habitats, species, and economically important fisheries that are vulnerable to open ocean and coastal acidification (OOCA), including shellfish, coral reefs, and other carbonate reefs and seafloor. OOCA poses an economic threat to the Gulf’s economy, which is estimated to have a combined value of $2.04 trillion (US) per year across Cuba, Mexico and the United States (U.S.). Scientists from Cuba, Mexico, and the U.S. co-organized and co-hosted the first Gulf International Ocean Acidification Summit on Oct. 18-19, 2022 in Mérida, Yucatan, Mexico to exchange information and begin development of a new tri-national network to address the socioeconomic and ecological impacts of OOCA in the Gulf based on common needs. The meeting included representatives from government agencies, universities, research institutes, non-governmental organizations, and was sponsored by the Furgason Fellowship of the Harte Research Institute at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. Discussions focused on each country’s challenges, including known and potential socioeconomic vulnerabilities and biological and ecosystem responses to OOCA. Shared priorities were identified for observational, biological, environmental needs, socioeconomic research, outreach, and communications. Priority geographic locations for the study and short and long-term monitoring of OOCA were identified based on the group’s knowledge of oceanographic conditions and vulnerable regions. Longer-term actions that will help support multinational collaborations include: identifying shared data and information platforms; standardizing chemical and biological sampling methodologies; coordinating communications with regulatory agencies and resource managers; and coordinating monitoring activities, collaborative research projects, and tri-national comparisons and synthesis of findings. We present guidance from this effort for an integrated, multinational approach to understanding the causes and consequences of OOCA in the Gulf.
Continue reading ‘A tri-national initiative to advance understanding of coastal and ocean acidification in the Gulf of Mexico/Gulf of America’Ocean change in the northeastern Atlantic and adjacent seas: a multi-dimensional challenge for the environment, society, and economy
Published 17 October 2025 Newsletters and reports ClosedTags: chemistry, North Atlantic, policy, review, socio-economy
An ocean narrative is a powerful tool for making complex ocean changes better accessible while informing decision-making and inspiring collective action. This ocean narrative reports on ocean change in the northeastern Atlantic and adjacent seas and discusses its broader implications for Europe’s environment, economy, and society. The region is experiencing warming and acidification at rates exceeding the global average, with rising sea levels and record severe marine heatwaves (MHWs). These changes threaten marine ecosystems, biodiversity, cultural heritage, and key economic sectors, such as aquaculture and coastal tourism, which rely heavily on the balance and the health of the ocean. This ocean narrative emphasizes the importance of regional ocean indicators for the northeastern Atlantic and adjacent seas and underscores the importance of localized responses, as ocean changes affect regions differently, particularly in semi-enclosed seas such as the Baltic Sea, the Black Sea, and the Mediterranean Sea. The findings stress the urgency of timely action and the need to strengthen evidence-based and strategic ocean knowledge transfer at the science and policy interface for informed decision-making that balances environmental sustainability, economic resilience, and social inclusivity to address the growing challenges of ocean change in the northeastern Atlantic and its adjacent seas.
Continue reading ‘Ocean change in the northeastern Atlantic and adjacent seas: a multi-dimensional challenge for the environment, society, and economy’New Jersey ocean acidification action plan
Published 3 October 2025 Science ClosedTags: mitigation, North Atlantic, policy, socio-economy
The NJDEP created an Ocean Acidification Action Plan to address ocean and coastal acidification. Left unchecked, this global issue will negatively impact the balance of the ecosystem as well as the state’s fish and shellfish industries. Shellfish are particularly vulnerable through the impacts of acidification on shell formation.
The New Jersey Ocean Acidification Action Plan identifies steps that the NJDEP has already taken that can help mitigate ocean and coastal acidification and outlines the Department’s next steps to better understand the current conditions and prepare for additional impacts of ocean and coastal acidification.
Continue reading ‘New Jersey ocean acidification action plan’National Coral Reef Monitoring Program socioeconomic monitoring component: summary findings for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, 2024
Published 26 September 2025 Newsletters and reports ClosedTags: North Pacific, socio-economy
The Socioeconomic Component of the National Coral Reef Monitoring Program (NCRMP) collects socioeconomic data across all United States (U.S.) coral reef territories and jurisdictions to inform human dimensions indicators. These indicators fall under the broad categories of population demographics, human use of coral reef resources, and knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of coral reefs and coral reef management. The overall goal of this endeavor is to understand the status and trends of each jurisdiction’s population, social and economic structure, interactions with coral reef resources, and responses to local coral reef management. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Coral Reef Conservation Program (CRCP) uses this information to help address coral reef issues at local, regional, and national levels, as well as to inform continuing research and communication products. NOAA CRCP staff, along with educators and managers in the jurisdictions, use this information to monitor changes in coral reef–dependent communities and jurisdictions and ensure outreach programs are designed to achieve their goals.
This report presents primary data collected for the second socioeconomic monitoring cycle in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) (the first monitoring cycle was completed in 2016). The household survey was conducted in person from February to March 2024. Results are representative of the CNMI resident population as a whole and island strata of Saipan, Tinian, and Rota. Key highlights from the results include:
- Activity Participation: Over 70% of CNMI residents participated in beach recreation and swimming/wading in both 2016 and 2024, and participation in most activities increased from 2016 to 2024.
- Seafood: Nearly all (98%) residents consumed seafood in at least some of their meals on average, and 84% of those residents ate seafood from local coral reefs.
- Importance of Coral Reefs: Over 80% of residents believed that CNMI’s coral reefs were extremely important for coastal protection, food, and human health. Two-thirds of residents also believed that coral reefs were important for cultural events (such as fiestas and ceremonies) and for establishing or maintaining social relationships and family ties.
- Perceived Resource Conditions: At least 50% of residents believed ocean water quality and the amount of fish in CNMI were good, but residents were generally split on whether these conditions will worsen or improve over the next 10 years.
- Threats to Coral Reefs: Residents were generally more familiar with a variety of threats to coral reefs in 2024 than they were in 2016. In 2024, the highest increase in familiarity was with coral bleaching. Between 46-49% identified coral bleaching, marine litter, pollution, and ocean acidification as severe threats to coral reefs.
- Support for Management Strategies: At least 80% of residents supported active coral reef restoration, community participation in marine resource management, new requirements for improved wastewater treatment, and increased restrictions on coastal construction practices to prevent soil and stormwater runoff. From 2016 to 2024, support level for various management strategies generally decreased but was still high overall.
- Marine Protected Areas: The majority of residents were aware of existing marine protected areas (MPAs) or marine preserves in CNMI. Over 70% of residents believed that MPAs have led to improved coral reef protection, and 64% believed that MPAs have improved the amount and size of fish. Perceptions of most MPA impacts were more negative in 2024 than they were in 2016, but residents were more likely to perceive positive impacts to fishermen livelihoods than in 2016.
- Conservation Behaviors: Over 80% of residents believed that it was extremely important for CNMI residents to engage in activities that help protect coral reefs. Most residents generally engaged in routine conservation-oriented behaviors such as reducing household electricity or water use or using fewer single-use plastics. Less than 50% of residents had taken longer-term actions such as maintaining or upgrading septic or sewer systems. Commonly stated barriers to action were lack of opportunity, lack of knowledge, and lack of permission.
- Awareness of Coral Reef Rules and Regulations: Nearly 90% of residents believed it was unacceptable to leave trash on the beach, and 60% believed it was unacceptable to anchor a boat on coral or remove coastal vegetation. Opinions were mixed about the acceptability of touching corals, operating a boat in shallow reef areas, having fires on the beach, and feeding fish, birds, or mammals, suggesting a potential need for more outreach to improve compliance through increased awareness of rules and regulations.
Ocean acidification, iodine bioavailability, and cardiovascular health: a review of possible emerging risks
Published 16 September 2025 Science ClosedTags: biogeochemistry, review, socio-economy
Anthropogenic climate change drives ocean acidification, which alters marine iodine cycling and increases bioaccumulation in marine ecosystems. This environmental shift elevates dietary and atmospheric iodine exposure, particularly in coastal populations, posing risks for thyroid dysfunction and downstream cardiovascular complications. Acidification enhances iodine uptake in marine species, such as kelp and seafood, thereby amplifying human intake. Chronic iodine excess can induce hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism, both linked to cardiovascular diseases, including heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and atherosclerosis. This narrative review synthesizes the mechanistic pathways connecting ocean acidification, iodine bioavailability, thyroid dysfunction, and cardiovascular health. We emphasize the need for proactive clinical screening, dietary interventions, environmental monitoring, international collaboration, and inter-disciplinary research to address this climate-sensitive public health challenge. Coastal communities, reliant on marine diets, require targeted strategies to mitigate these emerging risks.
Continue reading ‘Ocean acidification, iodine bioavailability, and cardiovascular health: a review of possible emerging risks’Identifying and reducing climate uncertainty in fisheries management reference points
Published 15 September 2025 Science ClosedTags: biological response, communitymodeling, crustaceans, fisheries, modeling, socio-economy
Modelling has predicted that reductions in ocean pH and increases in temperature will reduce vital rates (survival and growth) of North Pacific crab stocks and hence the target levels of fishing mortality consistent with sustainable harvesting. However, these predictions have been based on the best estimates of the effects of changes in ocean pH and temperature on vital rates from laboratory experiments. We quantified the effects of several climate and market sources of variability in Alaskan red king and southern Tanner crab fisheries on predicted optimal fishing mortality rates, including changes in ocean chemistry and temperature on vital rates, non-linear relationships between prices, costs and catch, and the uncertainty in population dynamics models. The declines in survival consistently lead to predictions of a reduction in productivity and hence the optimal level of fishing intensity over time, but the extent of change is uncertain. Uncertainty related to the effects of ocean pH and temperature on vital rates and variability among Earth System Models and future emission scenarios are the dominant sources of uncertainty, although potential fluctuations in prices and costs are also consequential. Further, simulations are used to explore the relationship between changes in ocean pH or temperature and vital rates (additional experimental replicates and a wider range of levels of ocean pH in experiments) and hence identify approaches to reduce the uncertainty in estimates of future projections of target fishing mortality rates. Importantly, we demonstrate that optimal approaches to reducing uncertainty depend on life stage (juvenile growth for red king crab and larval survival for southern Tanner crab), and the optimal experiment depends on species (increasing the range of pH levels for red king crab vs increasing sample sizes for southern Tanner crab). The results of this study can inform priorities for future ocean acidification-related laboratory experiments and provide a basis for evaluating “investment in research” more broadly.
Continue reading ‘Identifying and reducing climate uncertainty in fisheries management reference points’Revisiting wastewater pH standards: a policy lever for mitigating coastal acidification and enhancing blue carbon
Published 25 June 2025 Science ClosedTags: mitigation, policy, socio-economy
Global ocean acidification driven by atmospheric CO2 uptake is well recognized; however, coastal zones are subject to additional, localized acidification pressures. Among these, the chronic discharge of low pH treated wastewater (often pH 6.0), permitted under many current regulations, represents a significant but often overlooked stressor. This practice introduces highly acidic loads into sensitive nearshore ecosystems that are chemically incompatible with ambient seawater (pH ∼8.1). This perspective argues for reframing effluent pH not only as a pollutant parameter to be bounded but also as a modifiable policy lever. Revising discharge standards to require a minimum effluent pH > 8.0 for marine outfalls offers a novel pathway to mitigate localized coastal acidification. Furthermore, this approach aligns with emerging ocean alkalinity enhancement strategies, potentially enhancing coastal carbon sequestration and offering cobenefits such as reduced metal toxicity. Such a policy shift necessitates technological adaptation but promises significant benefits for coastal resilience and broader ocean sustainability goals.
Continue reading ‘Revisiting wastewater pH standards: a policy lever for mitigating coastal acidification and enhancing blue carbon’Ocean acidification: another planetary boundary crossed
Published 20 June 2025 Science ClosedTags: policy, socio-economy
Ocean acidification has been identified in the Planetary Boundary Framework as a planetary process approaching a boundary that could lead to unacceptable environmental change. Using revised estimates of pre-industrial aragonite saturation state, state-of-the-art data-model products, including uncertainties and assessing impact on ecological indicators, we improve upon the ocean acidification planetary boundary assessment and demonstrate that by 2020, the average global ocean conditions had already crossed into the uncertainty range of the ocean acidification boundary. This analysis was further extended to the subsurface ocean, revealing that up to 60% of the global subsurface ocean (down to 200 m) had crossed that boundary, compared to over 40% of the global surface ocean. These changes result in significant declines in suitable habitats for important calcifying species, including 43% reduction in habitat for tropical and subtropical coral reefs, up to 61% for polar pteropods, and 13% for coastal bivalves. By including these additional considerations, we suggest a revised boundary of 10% reduction from pre-industrial conditions more adequately prevents risk to marine ecosystems and their services; a benchmark which was surpassed by year 2000 across the entire surface ocean.
Continue reading ‘Ocean acidification: another planetary boundary crossed’Navigating ocean acidification in shellfish aquaculture: stakeholder perspectives of developing strategies in the U.S. Pacific region
Published 23 May 2025 Science ClosedTags: fisheries, mitigation, North Pacific, socio-economy
Highlights
- Aquaculture ocean acidification threat perceptions declined over the last decade.
- Shellfish industry interviews can guide adaptive strategy co-production.
- Native species portfolio diversification met more skepticism than parental priming.
- Enhanced environmental monitoring is a high research priority across respondents
Abstract
The marine shellfish aquaculture industry across the U.S. Pacific region faces escalating ocean acidification and its associated challenges. This study examines industry participant perceptions and experiences regarding ocean acidification, additional threats, and future research needs, finding a notable decrease in perceived concern regarding ocean acidification over the past decade. Through structured interviews, broad industry perspectives are explored regarding current practices and two specific ocean acidification adaptation strategies under development: parental priming and native species portfolio expansion. While parental priming garnered cautious support contingent on scientific validation, perceptions of native species expansion were polarized, driven by skepticism about regulatory barriers, economic viability, and scalability. Enhanced environmental monitoring emerged as the most widely supported adaptation measure, underscoring its importance in addressing multiple stressors in addition to ocean acidification. By considering industry and operation characteristics while examining potential decision-making biases, this study provides unique insights for co-producing relevant adaptation strategies. Additionally, the critical role of collaboration between stakeholders, researchers, and policymakers in fostering resilience is emphasized.
Continue reading ‘Navigating ocean acidification in shellfish aquaculture: stakeholder perspectives of developing strategies in the U.S. Pacific region’Comprehensive model of environmental degradation assessment
Published 17 March 2025 Science ClosedTags: modeling, socio-economy
This study explores the development of a comprehensive techno-economic model of environmental degradation based on the ReCiPe2016 approach named Financial Developed ReCiPe (FDR). The FDR considers cause-and-effect pathways of environmental degradation by ocean acidification, floods, acid rain, malnutrition, forest destruction, and waste more than the ReCiPe2016 in the midpoint and the environmental properties in the endpoint by considering tourism potential and intergenerational benefits. This model quantifies environmental degradation by the functions of fate factors (FF), effect factors (EF), exposure factors (XF), and economic impacts. These functions are developed for added cause-and-effect pathways, and the results were verified based on real studies. The uncertainties are considered by Individualist, Hierarchist, and Egalitarian perspectives, and the Monte Carlo Simulation (MCS) method is used to estimate the uncertainty level of variables. The results indicate the acceptability of the findings for the 20–1000-year infinite time horizon is about 13–38% variation. The FDR reveals significant deviations in the Hierarchist perspective compared to the ReCiPe2016; non-cancer diseases due to stratospheric ozone depletion and malnutrition by global warming are increased by approximately 17% and 13%, respectively. Each hectare of forest destruction’s impact on global warming, tourism, and timber resources equates to annual emission of 86 tons of CO2, 426 tons of PM2.5, and 1540 tons of crude oil, respectively. The ocean acidification effects from CO2 emissions compared to SO2 and terrestrial acidification, contributing about 0.03% in the Hierarchist perspective. Finally, the FDR model bridges the existing gap in lifecycle impact assessment (LCIA) in energy-intensive industries such as petrochemical industries.
Continue reading ‘Comprehensive model of environmental degradation assessment’Navigating ocean acidification in shellfish aquaculture: stakeholder perspectives of developing strategies in the U.S. Pacific region
Published 12 December 2024 Science ClosedTags: fisheries, mitigation, North Pacific, socio-economy
The marine shellfish aquaculture industry across the U.S. Pacific region faces escalating ocean acidification and its associated challenges. This study examines industry participant perceptions and experiences regarding ocean acidification, additional threats, and future research needs, finding a notable decrease in perceived concern regarding ocean acidification over the past decade. Through structured interviews, broad industry perspectives are explored regarding current practices and two specific ocean acidification adaptation strategies under development: parental priming and native species portfolio expansion. While parental priming garnered cautious support contingent on scientific validation, perceptions of native species expansion were polarized, driven by skepticism about regulatory barriers, economic viability, and scalability. Enhanced environmental monitoring emerged as the most widely supported adaptation measure, underscoring its importance in addressing multiple stressors in addition to ocean acidification. By considering industry and operation characteristics while examining potential decision-making biases, this study provides unique insights for co-producing relevant adaptation strategies. Additionally, the critical role of collaboration between stakeholders, researchers, and policymakers in fostering resilience is emphasized.
Continue reading ‘Navigating ocean acidification in shellfish aquaculture: stakeholder perspectives of developing strategies in the U.S. Pacific region’Climate resilience and profitability thresholds in chesapeake bay oyster aquaculture
Published 5 December 2024 Science ClosedTags: fisheries, mitigation, mollusks, North Atlantic, socio-economy
Highlights
- Climate change brings offsetting factors for oyster aquaculture.
- By 2068 we project slight profit declines for most locations.
- Optimized profits were driven more by site-to-site differences than future changes.
- Industry growth will be supported by making high quality areas available for leasing.
- Targeted mitigation strategies can boost profits even at high costs.
Abstract
Shellfish aquaculture producers in coastal systems are facing uncertain future growing conditions as climate change alters weather patterns and raises sea level. We examined expected mid-century (2059–2068) changes in aquaculture profitability from recent conditions by integrating models of climate change, estuarine hydrodynamics and biogeochemistry, oyster growth, oyster mortality, and economics, using the Chesapeake Bay, USA as a case study. We developed an economic stochastic dynamic programming (SDP) approach that generates optimal grower behavior to maximize profits under uncertainty by dynamically choosing planting density, replanting and mitigation use, in response to changing oyster stock status and water quality conditions. Separate models were developed for bottom culture largely serving the cannery market, and container culture largely serving the half-shell market, to reflect different production costs, market prices, and oyster growth and survival. The coupled hydrodynamic-biogeochemical and oyster ecology models projected high spatial variability in oyster growth and mortality with the most favorable growing conditions in the lower north and upper mid bay, where mortality is lowest, and the upper south bay, where growth is highest. Climate change by late mid-century generated modest water quality changes and virtually no mortality rate changes. Nonetheless, our modeling revealed that even if growers made optimal management choices under uncertainty, the majority of modeled sites would see a decline in profitability under climate change, primarily due to potential reductions in food availability. Bottom culture was more resilient to the future climate at most sites, being less sensitive to small changes in growth than container culture. Information on how aquaculture conditions currently vary in space was more important for profitability than future climate forecasts. Our stochastic dynamic programming approach tailored grower behavior to each site and unfolding annual conditions, including highly targeted and cost-effective mitigation adjustments to boost oyster survival or growth.
Continue reading ‘Climate resilience and profitability thresholds in chesapeake bay oyster aquaculture’Effects of ocean acidification on abalone (Haliotis spp.) reproduction, early development, and growth: a review
Published 5 December 2024 Science ClosedTags: biological response, calcification, mollusks, morphology, mortality, physiology, reproduction, review, socio-economy
Abalone (Haliotis spp.) is a highly valuable and economically relevant marine commodity worldwide, with its production and value showing significant growth over the past two decades. Additionally, abalone hold essential ecological value by serving as a grazer and providing a microhabitat for various benthic organisms. Currently, seawater is experiencing a decrease in pH due to increased carbon dioxide (CO2) levels. It is projected that by 2100, the pH of seawater will decrease by approximately 0.3–0.4 units, with this trend continuing to 0.7–0.8 units by 2300. Abalone is particularly susceptible to ocean acidification due to its limited ability to maintain acid-base balance. Moreover, even if the effects on abalone are not lethal, world production values and ecosystem balance are likely to be impacted. This review examines the economic and ecological significance of abalone, as well as the morphological and physiological effects of ocean acidification on abalone during its early development, juvenile, and adult stages based on previous studies. In summary, the adverse effects of ocean acidification on abalone depend on several aspects, including the species, developmental stage, size, and duration of exposure.
Continue reading ‘Effects of ocean acidification on abalone (Haliotis spp.) reproduction, early development, and growth: a review’Challenges and opportunities towards meeting the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals from coral and seaweed ecosystems in an era of climate change
Published 22 November 2024 Science ClosedTags: algae, biological response, corals, mitigation, policy, review, socio-economy
Global climate change scenarios due to anthropogenic responses jeopardize ecosystem sustainability and hinder progress toward achieving the United nations (UN-SDGs). Achieving “natural carbon solutions” from terrestrial ecosystems is challenging due to decreasing arable land and increasing marginal land. Marine ecosystems representing a wider “natural carbon solutions” have also been severely impacted by climate change. Among marine ecosystems, coral reefs and seaweed communities are the key ecosystem engineers that support a wide range of marine life, facilitate nutrient cycling, and provide essential ecosystem services with a pivotal role in sustaining coastal economies and livelihoods. Notably, these communities compete for space within the reef ecosystem and suffer from loss of diversity and richness due to climate change. Therefore, assessing the climate change resilience of both the corals and seaweeds is essential to evaluate and design long-term adaptation strategies, ecological innovations, and science-informed policies to conserve, restore, and sustainably manage economic services. This review article aims to highlight (1) the physiological response and resilience of corals and seaweeds to environmental changes, (2) the impact of climate change on their ecosystems and economic services, (3) their potential contributions towards the United Nations’ sustainable goals, (4) progressive efforts applied for their restoration, and (5) the potential complementary value of large-scale seaweed aquaculture as a carbon sink.
Continue reading ‘Challenges and opportunities towards meeting the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals from coral and seaweed ecosystems in an era of climate change’Shellfisheries’ adaptation to ocean acidification in OR and CA: linking strategies to strategic policy action
Published 18 November 2024 Science ClosedTags: methods, policy, socio-economy
Highlights
- Policies are currently in place to support adaptive capacity of shellfish growers in California and Oregon.
- Both specific and broad policies pertaining to OA, and shellfish aquaculture, offer multiple places to develop greater adaptive capacity.
- Reducing institutional barriers to daily operations will help shellfish growers’ adaptation as more efforts can be directed to adaptive strategies.
- Continued and expanded communication between agencies, scientists and shellfish growers provide pathways to explore adaptation to OA.
Abstract
As ocean pH levels continue to decline due to increased absorption of atmospheric CO2, a process known as ocean acidification (OA), industries dependent on ocean resources must adapt to mitigate negative impacts of OA. Utilizing adaptive strategies identified by shellfish growers in prior, related research, we seek to explore and identify existing U.S. State and Federal policies that pertain to OA, how they might impact the ability for shellfish growers in California (CA) and Oregon (OR) adapt to OA, and where there are opportunities for policy expansion to improve their capacity to adapt to OA. Potential pathways linking adaptation needs with policy processes is discussed.
Continue reading ‘Shellfisheries’ adaptation to ocean acidification in OR and CA: linking strategies to strategic policy action’Exploring the impact of ocean acidification information on consumers’preference for seafood
Published 15 November 2024 Science ClosedTags: socio-economy
We conducted a discrete choice experiment to explore whether providing information about a lesser-known issue related to climate change, as it is ocean acidification (OA), affects consumers’ preferences for seafood products in a middle-income country in the southern hemisphere. Our objective was to determine whether OA information affects consumer preferences for seafood using stated preference (SP) techniques. Seafood attributes include shell size and appearance, meat color, texture, taste, nutritional composition, product assortments, and price. We applied a split-sample approach to test for information effects, with one sample receiving information about OA while the other did not. We analyze the differences between samples using visual instruments and statistical tests. The results demonstrate that although the statistical test does not identify a difference between models, we did find that OA information increases the precision of ’consumers’ responses. Moreover, using visual instruments, we found differences in specific parameters – not detected in the statistical analysis – which can lead to substantial differences in the willingness to pay for seafood attributes. The article is relevant as understanding these matters is essential when generating more effective communicational strategies regarding the impacts of climate change.
Continue reading ‘Exploring the impact of ocean acidification information on consumers’preference for seafood’
