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Economies of a Changing Ocean Public Policy Forum- March 6, 2013

This public policy forum discusses the problem of ocean acidification and its detrimental effects on shellfish production. The increasing CO2 in seawater reduces the stability of calcium carbonate minerals, making it harder for organisms that make shells to do so. Local drivers exacerbate the issue, but ultimately a global carbon policy is needed. The event aims to promote adaptation tools for industry, support basic research on ocean acidification, and determine local driver solutions.

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Economies of a Changing Ocean Public Policy Forum- March 6, 2013

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  1. Economies of a Changing Ocean Public Policy Forum- March 6, 2013 Ocean Acidification Effects on Shellfish Production: From Hatchery Failures to Actionable Science George G. Waldbusser (and many others) pH = 8.00 pH = 7.49

  2. Introduction to the Problem of Ocean Acidification Globally, we are increasing the amount of CO2 in the oceans and coastal waters faster than earth’s systems can respond. IPCC "business as usual" scenario. Adapted from Wolf-Gladrow et al., 1999. http://www.ocean-acidification.net/FAQacidity.html The increasing CO2 in seawater reduces the stability of calcium carbonate minerals, and makes it harder for the organisms that make shells to do so.

  3. Local Drivers of Ocean Acidification NOx SOx CO2 NH3 emissions • Many important marine resource species either reside or rely on the coastal zone. • Local drivers can exacerbate or improve conditions locally. • Local drivers also provide stop-gap opportunities to address this issue. • However ultimately, the global carbon problem needs to be addressed. Stormwater runoff Point source Fertilizer Erosion River Erosion and Stormwater Runoff Erosion and Runoff Upwelled water River input Ocean Contributors to ocean acidification. In addition to global atmospheric CO2, this figure depicts the major local (within 100 km) sources contributing to coastal ocean acidification. (Kelly et al. 2011) The organisms do not care what the driver is.

  4. Ground Zero of Ocean Acidification Oct. Apr. June Aug. • The water that upwells here is approximately 30-50 years “old”. • Monitoring has facilitated adaptation. Barton et al. 2012 Hales and Vance unpubl

  5. Why are Bivalve Larvae so Sensitive? (The Canaries in the Coal Mine) Sensitivity appears to be dependent on stage. No external food until D-hinge complete. Cannot isolate the calcifying fluids as well. Must deposit a lot of shell. 5 µm

  6. So What Can We Do? In Lieu of a Global Carbon Policy… Support Adaptation Tools for Industry Support Basic Research on Ocean Acidification Determine Local Driver Solutions (short-term) Increase Opportunities for Cooperative Research Partnerships “The cost of responding to ocean acidification may be substantial, but it is still far less than the costs of inaction” – Bill Ruckelshaus, co-chair Washington Blue Ribbon Panel on Ocean Acidification, November 27, 2012

  7. Why Should We Do It? Basic Research is a Strong Economic Driver Takes Money to Make Money Shellfish Production is a Sustainable Food Production Model Low Input, Low Impact, High Yield Our Ocean Chemistry is Changing in Fundamental Ways, Faster Than Predicted Hauri et al. 2013

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