GOA OA

Coastal regions around Alaska are experiencing some of the most rapid and extensive progressions of OA in the United States. By integrating observational data with species response studies, OA forecast models and human impact assessments have determined that Alaska coastal communities have a varying degree of vulnerability to OA, ranging from moderate to severe. Areas that are most vulnerable are located in regions where fisheries are vital for the state and national economy. Therefore, it is critical to sustain observing efforts and proactively deploy OA assets in regions that are experiencing rapid change or providing habitats to species that show acute vulnerability to present or future OA conditions, such as red king crab in the Bering Sea. The specific objectives of the research are to continue long-term observations of ocean acidification in the Gulf of Alaska to fulfill the Federal Ocean Acidification Research and Monitoring Act of 2009 and the Strategic Plan for Federal Research and Monitoring Requirements of Ocean Acidification and its Implementation Plan requirements.