Alaska Fishermen FAQ

Fishermen loading cage of crabs onto boat

Bering Sea crab fishermen. Photo by Chris Miller

1) Why should fishermen care about ocean acidification?

Ocean acidification (OA) has the potential to harm marine ecosystems that are the foundation for Alaska’s abundant commercial fisheries. Even small changes to ocean chemistry can have significant consequences for fish and shellfish, or their prey. Lowering the pH of seawater may affect the ability of shell-building organisms (such as crab, oysters, and some kinds of zooplankton) to build and maintain their shells and may also affect the ability of marine fish and invertebrates to regulate their internal pH., which is important for maintaining physiological functions. As ocean conditions change, we will also need to adapt our industries and the ways we rely on the marine environment.

Helpful links

2) What might the specific impacts be to commercial fish species?

As with any large shift in marine conditions, biological consequences will vary across the range of species. Some species will be winners and others losers. So far, based on laboratory experiments, researchers expect reduced survival of commercial king crab, southern Tanner crab, and rock sole in ocean acidification conditions forecasted for the future. Snow crab, Pacific cod, and walleye pollock have shown more resilience to ocean acidification. However, marine species may also be compromised by impacts on their prey and the marine food web overall. Some fish experience behavioral changes in acidified waters, such as changes to their sense of smell and ability to avoid predators. Over the next few decades, the combination of ocean acidification and additional environmental stressors, such as freshening from melting glaciers and warming waters, may significantly alter marine habitats and could fundamentally change the structure of food webs that will affect commercial fisheries. Quick look at response by species.

3) What do we know about OA and salmon?

Initial studies on coho salmon found that juvenile marine phase coho salmon no longer avoided the scent of predators when exposed to elevated CO2 for two weeks. This change in behavior was likely driven by changes in how important odor signaling was processed in their  brains, resulting in an altered perception of what the salmon were smelling and how to respond. The scientific consensus is that this altered perception is the result of the salmon’s need to actively buffer their blood to the changing external pH of the seawater.

Fortunately, this research also showed that even though coho salmon experienced significant and negative effects in acidic waters, they were able to fully recover in control water as soon as 6 hours after an exposure. This tells us that salmon are highly adaptable.

Research regarding the impact of ocean acidification on pink salmon is still in its early stages. Recent experiments found ocean acidification impacts the metabolism of juvenile pink salmon. Acidified waters may negatively affect pink salmon during their transition from freshwater to saltwater as juveniles, making them more vulnerable to predation during that time. However, there is also the potential for certain populations to acclimate to an acidifying ocean. Evidence suggests that certain populations may be able to adjust their physiology to cope with acidic conditions over many generations. However, researchers don’t know how long it would take salmon to build a tolerance to elevated CO2 in later generations, and it remains to be seen if other species of salmon could possibly develop similar resistance. See more on the salmon page.

4) Is ocean acidification a problem that will affect my fishing business now?

Our waters are already becoming acidic enough to cause carbonate minerals to dissolve during certain times of year in certain locations (although not corrosive enough to dissolve hardier materials, like boat hulls). Some commercial fisheries such as brown crab fisheries in the Aleutian Islands already occur in naturally acidic waters found in deep (>600 ft) waters off Alaska.  Our concern is for shallow species that have not yet experienced or adapted to ocean acidification. Even though continued research is needed to understand the complex ways that acidification may affect our fisheries in Alaska, experimental laboratory research on the response of marine species indicates cause for concern. We need to explore how acidification might affect our ecosystems and fisheries so that fishermen can innovate and build resilience to emerging risks. Research and understanding of current and future projected conditions is like putting headlights on a car so we can see ahead and know what to anticipate as this problem intensifies.

5) Doesn’t the pH in the ocean change all of the time anyway?

Natural variability is an important consideration in understanding the extent and duration of acidification in Alaska waters. As fishermen know from experience, the ocean is not uniform — temperature is different year-to-year, currents and movement of water masses change, timing of conditions fluctuates, the fish are not always in the same place. Variability in the location, timing, and duration of acidified water is caused by many natural factors, including local and global circulation processes, seasonal cycles like phytoplankton blooms, sea ice, and river discharge. Often, corrosive conditions result when natural processes that produce CO2 are all in sync, and then have anthropogenic CO2 added on top. This extra CO2 pushes the system past important thresholds. Using an array of technologies, our research shows that corrosive conditions are most prominent during late summer, fall, and early winter, especially in bottom waters beneath very productive areas, and near river outflows. Sometimes, this can overlap with important life history stages for commercially valuable species.

6) What research questions are scientists focusing on?

Oceanographers have focused on measuring pH and the saturation of carbonate minerals to monitor corrosive water conditions. Ongoing monitoring at different geographic scales is critical to assessing water quality, identifying trends, and improving forecasting to inform the management of commercial fisheries.

In Alaska, scientists have focused on the effects of acidification on key species because of their role in the ecosystem (such as pteropods) or their value to commercial fisheries (such as crab, pollock, and flatfish). Research questions have been focused on the direct impacts on the physiology of marine species and on subsequent population level effects. Emerging research topics will investigate indirect effects on food webs and the combined effects of acidification and ocean warming. Studies on additional species such as salmon also need to be conducted.

Forecasting the impacts of ocean acidification is also important. Current research focuses on linking population models with economic forecasts in order to address the vulnerability of coastal communities and sectors of the seafood industry, and to assist with adaptation. Currently, researchers are working to add ocean acidification into much larger food web models in order to expand this effort beyond the single-species level.

7) How can the fishing industry support ocean acidification science?

  • Promote funding for research & monitoring of changing ocean conditions – share your thoughts with your state legislators and members of Congress.
  • Join the Alaska Ocean Acidification Network listserv to stay on top of news about research and how findings relate to Alaska’s fisheries, and statewide discussions on solutions to address CO2. Subscribe here!
  • Be a content reviewer for the Alaska Ocean Acidification Network! As we produce new resources, we want to make sure they are relevant and understandable. If you are interested in devoting small amounts of time here and there, contact dugan@aoos.org.
  • Contribute to the Skipper Science Partnership, a community of commercial fishermen across Alaska who are reporting observations and data from fishing grounds and working with scientists to better understand our marine environment and the changes taking place.

8) What are some examples of community-based monitoring programs in Alaska?

  • Alutiiq Pride – Eight communities in Prince William Sound and Lower Cook Inlet are collecting weekly water samples that are analyzed using a Burke-o-Lator at the Alutiiq Pride Marine Institute in Seward.
  • Sitka Tribe – Members of the Southeast Alaska Tribal Ocean Research partnership are collecting water samples, which are then analyzed at the Sitka Tribe’s lab using a Burke-o-Lator.
  • Kodiak – Water samples will soon be collected at the NOAA Fisheries Kodiak Laboratory to measure ocean chemistry. A Burke-o-Lator is running constantly at the laboratory to measure seasonal trends in carbonate chemistry to compare to samples being collected throughout the Kodiak Archipelago.

9) Researchers and fishermen are eager to share ideas. How can fishermen have input in research questions?

  • Work with fishery associations to identify and promote pressing research questions through the Board of Fisheries and North Pacific Fishery Management Council.
  • Participate in forums held by the Alaska Ocean Acidification Network, and engage in discussions on the Ocean Acidification Information Exchange.