Where next with the science of

ocean acidification?
Wed, 08 Jun 2016

How will ocean acidification affect fisheries around the world as

carbon dioxide levels rise? This question is among the research
priorities identified by leading scientists in a new report authored by
IUCN experts.

Photo:
Nelson Suarez

Research shows that rising levels of dissolved carbon dioxide cause ocean acidification,
which is expected to harm many marine species, but much remains unknown.

Which regions will be most affected, how quickly species will adapt, and how
ecosystems will react to ocean acidification combined with other stresses such as
pollution, warming and over-exploitation are on the research priority list identified in the
report, Where next with the science of ocean acidification? Another urgent question is
how these impacts will in turn affect fisheries and other ecosystem services the oceans
provide us with.
The oceans are now 30% more acidic than before the industrial revolution, and
continued acidification could seriously affect marine life, especially shellfish, corals and
plankton.
Acidification is progressing at unprecedented rates, and we are already seeing the
impacts on ecosystems and industries such as aquaculture, says Carl Gustaf Lundin,
Director of IUCNs Global Marine and Polar Programme.
This is the case in the Pacific Northwest, for instance, where oyster larvae mortality has
been linked to the acidity of the water.
The effects on fisheries could have repercussions on food security. Polar and sub-polar
regions important fishing grounds are particularly vulnerable to acidification, as
carbon dioxide absorbs more readily in cold water.
Another ecosystem service provided by the oceans is the oxygen pumped out by
plankton, equivalent to roughly half of the earths oxygen. With ocean acidification
thought to affect plankton, it could also have an impact on oxygen production.
To make sure research is translated into action, data on water acidity and the effects of
ocean acidification must be global, the researchers say:
At present material used to illustrate effects of ocean acidification to inform policy
makers or drive action on addressing this issue are being drawn from too few
examples, according to the report.
Ocean conservation is one of the themes to be discussed at the IUCN World
Conservation Congress, 2016.
You can see the full report here.