Effects have already been seen with clams, mussels, oysters; lobster fishery could be impacted
Congresswoman Chellie Pingree has introduced a bill that would require federal officials to study the effects of ocean acidification on coastal communities in Maine and around the country. The bill is similar to legislation Pingree sponsored in the previous Congress and now has bipartisan and bicoastal support.
"Rising sea levels and warming ocean temperatures are some of the effects of climate change that we're all pretty familiar with, but the threat that ocean acidification poses to our commercial fisheries is every bit as real," Pingree said. "It's time we start paying more attention and getting the information we need to understand the potential impacts on our coastal communities."
Earlier this year a special commission set up by the Maine Legislature reported that "for Maine and its commercial fisheries, addressing ocean acidification has become an urgent matter," and called for comprehensive research on the impacts of increased acidity along the coast.
Pingree introduced the bill with Florida Republican Congressman Vern Buchanan.
"This bipartisan bill will help protect America’s coastlines through further research into the potentially devastating effects of ocean acidification," said Rep. Vern Buchanan. "Our Gulf Coast communities depend on a clean and healthy ocean environment."
Ocean acidification is a product of increased carbon dioxide (C02) in the atmosphere. Much of the C02 released into the atmosphere as greenhouse gas pollution gets absorbed by oceans, where it makes the water more acidic. This makes it harder for clams, mussels and oysters to fully form their shells. The impact on lobsters is less clear, but there is serious concern that acidification coupled with warming waters could have a significant impact on lobster populations.
Pingree's bill would require the NationalOceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to study the socioeconomic impacts of ocean acidification on coastal communities. Under her legislation, the Secretary of Commerce would be required to conduct studies to identify which communities are most dependent on ocean resources and how acidification would affect them if valuable industries like the lobster fishery were impacted.
Ocean Conservancy, a leading environmental group, welcomed Pingree's legislation.
"Ocean acidification is a real problem that poses economic and environmental risks to our nation’s iconic fishermen and shellfish growers. Ocean Conservancy is thrilled that Representatives Pingree and Buchanan have prioritized the needs of businesses and coastal communities that may be at risk from acidification. The Coastal Communities Ocean Acidification Act of 2015 will enable scientists and businesses to work together to better understand these risks, and to take action," said Julia Roberson, spokesperson for Ocean Conservancy.
Other original cosponsors of Pingree's bill, the Bipartisan Coastal Communities Ocean Acidification Act of 2015, include Representatives Peter King (NY-02), Mike Thompson (CA-05), Jared Huffman (CA-02), Carlos Curbelo (FL-26) and Ander Crenshaw (FL-4).
