Ocean Acidification Task Force
The New York State Ocean Acidification Task Force drafted Ocean Acidification: Its Causes, Impacts, and Mitigation; A Report to the New York State Legislature (PDF) and public comment on the report is open through September 7, 2023. Submit written comments to LIwaterquality@dec.ny.gov with "OATF Report" in the subject line or by mail to Casey Personius, DEC Division of Marine Resources, 123 Kings Park Blvd., Kings Park, NY 11754. A public hearing will be held on July 25th, 2023, 1-3 pm at DEC Division of Marine Resources, 123 Kings Park Blvd. Kings Park, New York.
Ocean Acidification
Unhealthy pteropod showing effects of ocean acidification including
ragged, dissolving shell ridges on upper surface, a cloudy shell in
lower right quadrant , and severe abrasions and weak spots
at 6:30 position on lower whorl of shell. Photo credit: NOAA
Ocean acidification (OA) in the coastal waters of New York is the result of greenhouse gas emissions combined with polluted runoff from land. This causes the formation of carbonic acid which makes the ocean increasingly acidic. This acidity can adversely affect many of the marine animals that call this environment home. Unfortunately, the current rate of change of ocean acidification is faster than any time on record and New York's ocean and coastal water environment has the potential to be particularly vulnerable.
The Ocean Acidification Task Force (OATF) was established to ensure that the best available science is used to assess and respond to this emerging threat to New York's marine waters and fisheries. The task force has produced a draft report (PDF) to identify how to:
- Mitigate: What can New York State do to reduce acidification in the water surrounding its coast, the Mid-Atlantic Bight, and the global oceans?
- Adapt: How can we minimize negative impacts of the inevitable changes on New Yorkers?
Additionally, the New York Ocean Action Plan (PDF) has dedicated steps to combat Ocean Acidification (Action 15) and increase the resilience of ocean resources to impacts associated with climate change.
All are welcome to observe our meetings as the Task Force introduces its members, reviews the purpose of the ocean acidification legislation, and hears from ocean acidification experts. The public will also have an opportunity to comment on the proceedings.
Meeting Resources
May 25, 2022 Meeting Documents
December 17, 2021 Meeting Documents
- December 17 - Meeting Recording
- December 17 - Meeting Agenda (PDF)
- December 17 - Meeting Minutes (PDF)
- December 17 - Presentation Notes (PDF)
December 3, 2019 Meeting Documents
January 22, 2019 Meeting Documents
- January 22 - Meeting Agenda (PDF)
- January 22 - Minutes Minutes (PDF)
- Presentation by Dr. Frank Roethel: Possible Remediation Measures for New York Coastal Waters (PDF)
- Presentation by Kyle Rabin: LINAP A Broad Plan to Mitigate Nitrogen Impact on Water Quality (PDF)
- Presentation by Christopher Gobler: Coastal ocean acidification: Dynamics and implications for marine life (Request a copy of this presentation by contacting FW.Marine@dec.ny.gov)
November 1, 2018 Meeting Documents
- November 1 - Meeting Agenda (PDF)
- November 1 - Meeting Minutes (PDF)
- Presentation by Dr. Janet Nye: Ocean acidification and New York (PDF)
- Presentation by Teresa Schwemmer: How State Governments Have Responded to Ocean Acidification (PDF)
Task Force Members
The OA Task Force is comprised of eleven appointed members, including experts in climatology, hydrology, economics, marine fisheries, aquaculture, oceanography, and ecology. As per the legislation that created the task force, these members have been appointed by the State Senate, the State Assembly, New York City, and Nassau and Suffolk counties, as well as representatives of the New York State Department of State and the Office of General Services.
As the lead agency, DEC's appointee, James Tierney, will be chair. The OA Task Force's efforts will be supported by DEC's Division of Marine Resources in East Setauket and faculty of the School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences at Stony Brook University. See Stony Brook University's website for additional information on ocean acidification.
| James Tierney, Chair Deputy Commissioner, Office of Water Resources NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation Appointing Authority: Commissioner of DEC |
John K. McLaughlin Managing Director Office of Ecosystem Services NYC Dept. of Environmental Protection Appointing Authority: Mayor of NYC |
| Ian MacCallum Senior Attorney, Legal Services NYS Office of General Services Appointing Authority: Commissioner of OGS |
Jeff Herter Division of Community Resilience and Regional Programs Office of Planning & Development NYS Dept. of State Appointing Authority: Secretary of State |
| Marci Bortman Director of Conservation Programs The Nature Conservancy Appointing Authority: Governor |
Appointing Authority: Governor |
| Chris Pickerell Marine Program Director Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County |
Steve Malinowski Owner/Operator Fishers Island Oyster Farm |
| Malcolm J. Bowman, Ph.D. Distinguished Service Professor School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences Stony Brook University Appointing Authority: Speaker of the Assembly |
Carl Safina, Ph.D. Endowed Research Chair for Nature and Humanity School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences Stony Brook University Director, Safina Center Appointing Authority: Speaker of the Assembly |
| Jeremy Thornton Former U.S. Navy SEAL Strategic Markets Director Janssen Pharmaceuticals Appointing Authority: Minority Leader of the Senate |
Joyce Novack, Ph.D. Director Peconic Estuary Program Appointing Authority: Minority Leader of the Assembly |
| Appointing Authority: Nassau County Executive | Jason Masters Renewable Energy and Oceanographic Consultant Gaiergy Corp. Appointing Authority: Suffolk County Executive |
