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Seafood Choices Brings Scientists and Seafood Industry Representatives Together to Take on Ocean Acidification

Curt Hemmel, Bay Shellfish Co.

Ocean acidification, often called "the other CO2 problem," has quietly emerged as a critical issue for fisheries. Oyster hatcheries in the Pacific Northwest have already begun experiencing the effects of ocean acidification, resulting in several years of production failure. Despite these impacts on shellfish farmers and the causes of ocean acidification being known, research on the implications for fisheries is still in its infancy. Yet, while the science and seafood industry strive to keep pace, the ocean grows more acidic.

In order to help fishing communities and the seafood industry keep up to date on this emerging threat to their livelihoods, Seafood Choices has organized regional workshops on ocean acidification. The first workshop was held in Portland, Maine, in June 2009. The second workshop was recently held in St. Petersburg, Florida. The workshops are designed to present the science clearly to members of the seafood industry to help them understand potential impacts to fisheries; to obtain feedback from stakeholders on strategies for how best to inform and engage those from seafood industry, including fishermen, in this issue; and to develop informal communications networks for participants and regional stakeholders to tap into for future dialogue and action.

At the recent St. Petersburg workshop, scientists familiar with the local ecosystem and research on ocean acidification gave presentations to invited industry stakeholders, including local fishermen, aquaculture professionals and government officials. After the presentation, attendees and scientists discussed the challenges ocean acidification presents to the seafood industry, potential damages to local fisheries and collaborative solutions for moving forward.

Curt Hemmel, Bay Shellfish Co.

"It is good for various and even opposing stakeholders of a public resource to sit down and talk. At least we can understand the investment each of us has in our finite fisheries and oceans," said Bobby Aylesworth, chairman of the Board of the Southeastern Fisheries Association, about the workshops. "Hopefully we find some common ground to grow from."

One of our presenters, U.S. Geological Survey oceanographic researcher Kim Yates, remarked, "It is always a great opportunity when scientists get to hear from different stakeholders, especially industry, so we can think about how our research can help educate and inform decision making. Based on the voices in the room, it sounds like there is a real opportunity for the science community, industry, the conservation community and extension agents and educators to work collaboratively on this issue."

One way the scientists plan to collaborate with stakeholders is through data sharing. For example, a major shellfish hatchery and nursery will be providing water quality data from their many sites around Florida to local scientists who are tracking chemical changes in ocean water related to acidification. Another way such collaborations could be fostered may be through grants. A national grant-making program, for instance, said it will pursue more funding for projects in which both scientists and commercial fisherman conduct monitoring at sea.

Seafood Choices is currently exploring opportunities for a third ocean acidification workshop later this year and will report lessons learned from the three workshops to better inform communication strategies and any potential targeted campaigns.

Learn more about ocean acidification >>

Read ocean acidification expert Ken Caldeira's Ocean Voice and listen him talk about the impacts of ocean acidification on "Good Morning America" >>

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