Ocean Acidification Monitoring Plan and Proposed Outreach Strategy Available for Review
NROC is pleased to share the following two opportunities for public comment regarding ocean acidification monitoring and outreach in the Northeast
Notice of Availability of the Draft Ocean Acidification Monitoring Plan
The draft Ocean Acidification Monitoring Plan titled Ocean and Coastal Acidification Monitoring Priorities for the Northeast US and Eastern Canada with recommendations on monitoring needs for our region is now available for public review. Comments on the draft Plan are requested by December 5 via the draft Monitoring Plan link.
The draft Plan was developed by the Northeast Coastal Acidification Network (NECAN) – established by regional partners including NROC and Northeastern Regional Association of Coastal Ocean Observing Systems (NERACOOS). Using Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding in 2023-2024, NROC, NERACOOS, and NECAN convened a workshop to identify priorities for better understanding ocean acidification and related impacts in the region. A summary of workshop outcomes identified ocean acidification monitoring and data priorities in the region that was used as the basis for the development of the draft Ocean Acidification Monitoring Plan in 2024. The draft Plan has been reviewed by the NECAN Steering Committee and members as well as a range of experts who provided information leading up to the workshop.
Request for Comment on NROC Outreach Strategy for Ocean Acidification Data and Products
NROC is developing an ocean acidification theme on the Northeast Ocean Data Portal and plans to expand outreach to managers, industry, and researchers to provide input that will help develop spatial representations of ocean acidification concentrations. We encourage comments on the Data Theme and proposed outreach at any time. We will host a webinar in the near future to describe more and as an additional opportunity to provide feedback.
NROC is developing an ocean acidification theme on the Northeast Ocean Data Portal with maps of current and historical monitoring activities, which have previously not been developed or made available. Ocean acidification experts and NROC also identified the need to expand outreach to additional managers, planners, scientists, and industry representatives to better understand data requirements for permitting, siting, and monitoring. Through 2025, NROC plans to expand outreach to managers, industry, and researchers to provide input that will help develop spatial representations of ocean acidification concentrations (potential regional and subregional characterizations of ocean acidification parameters) and to understand ocean acidification thresholds for potential impacts to ecological resources, including commercial aquaculture and fishery species.
NROC is specifically interested in identifying monitoring and data needs from a broader group of state, federal, Tribal, industry, and NGO partners and is specifically requesting feedback that will inform broader outreach to managers, industry, and biologists about ocean acidification data needs.
Please share feedback on outreach topics, questions, and approach as well as individuals or groups of interest to atrice@northeastoceancouncil.org
Additional Background
NROC will continue outreach activities and the development of an ocean acidification theme on the Northeast Ocean Data Portal in coordination with NECAN and as identified in the Ocean Acidification Monitoring Plan to inform the development of ocean acidification data products used in decision making and make them available via the ocean acidification theme on the Northeast Ocean Data Portal. Outreach will also identify data products responsive to management and business needs. Outreach will include managers, planners, and representatives of the aquaculture and fishing industries to understand data products, data gaps, and needs required to inform management, siting, permitting, and business decisions. It will also include engaging biologists and other experts to inform the identification of ocean acidification thresholds for key species, particularly commercially valued species (such as oyster and lobster) and threatened and endangered species. These activities will be coordinated with the Regional Wildlife Science Collaborative for Offshore Wind research and biological monitoring activities. NROC is also funding three pCO2 sensors to be deployed in Massachusetts and Cape Cod Bays via the Massachusetts Bays National Estuary Program using Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funds.