Upcoming fieldwork from NOAA’s Ocean Acidification Program (OAP) will help fill gaps in ocean acidification monitoring in Alaska. The Alaska OA Network is initiating conversations to help identify priority monitoring needs and collaboration opportunities to make sure we maximize the use of these funds. Historically, NOAA OAP has supported one dedicated oceanographic research cruise in Alaska waters every few years (2015 coastal survey across the Gulf of Alaska and 2022 in inside waters of Southeast). Looking ahead to NOAA OAP’S next big survey in Alaska in 2026/27, we are looking at a new approach: develop partnerships to add OA sampling to existing monitoring cruises (think: fisheries surveys, oceanographic cruises, etc) instead of deploying a single dedicated OA cruise. This approach would cover multiple regions of Alaska and pair carbon chemistry with other important data to help understand species dynamics and ecosystem response.
As these research collaboration conversations get underway, we want to better understand what kind of relevant and contextual information (not just data!) these efforts can provide coastal Alaskans. The Alaska OA Network will be working with the Meridian Institute, UAF and NOAA to hold conversations around the state, sharing back what was learned from monitoring efforts over the past few years (including the NOAA cruises) and getting input on the usefulness, remaining questions, and ways upcoming efforts could be structured. Please keep an eye out for ways to engage in this process in the coming year!