Ocean Acidification: The Silent Crisis

As the ocean absorbs carbon dioxide, its pH drops, creating conditions that threaten shellfish, corals, and entire marine food webs. Blue Ocean News examines the cascading effects of acidification on commercial fisheries and ecosystems.

Oyster farmers in the Pacific Northwest have already experienced catastrophic losses, with larvae unable to form shells in increasingly acidic waters. Scientists predict similar impacts will spread to other regions within decades.

While the problem is global, local communities are finding ways to adapt and mitigate. This feature highlights innovative approaches, from selective breeding for acid-resistant species to coastal ecosystem restoration that buffers ocean chemistry.