Public seminar on ocean acidification in Everett on Jan. 24

By Sandy Howard, communication manager, water quality and environmental assessment programs

Snohomish County residents wanting to learn more about ocean acidification are invited to a free seminar at the Everett Station January 24.

The event, hosted by the Snohomish County Marine Resources Committee (MRC), will feature presentations by three members of the Washington State Panel on Ocean Acidification:

• Terrie Klinger, University of Washington School of Marine & Environmental Affairs ecologist, will present “What is Ocean Acidification?”
  
  
• Shallin Busch, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration research ecologist, will present “Food Web Implications of Ocean Acidification.”
  
  
• Brad Warren, Sustainable Fisheries Partnership and National Fisheries Conservation Center Director of Global Ocean Health, will present “Recommendations, Partnerships and Actions.”

Snohomish County MRC Chair Tom Hoban said, “We’re pleased to be able to help educate the public about ocean acidification. The breadth of its effects has only been recognized within the last decade and most people have never even heard of it. We must not delay in taking action to protect our marine resources from such an urgent danger.”

Ocean acidification & Washington State

Ocean acidification results from carbon dioxide emissions being absorbed from the atmosphere into seawater, forming carbonic acid, radically altering ocean chemistry, and endangering sea life. Between 2005 and 2009, up to 80 percent of the oyster larvae in Washington were killed before the problem was identified and temporary counter-measures were taken.

The 28-member Washington State Panel on Ocean Acidification was appointed by Governor Christine Gregoire in February 2012 and was co-chaired by Bill Ruckelshaus, the first administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, and Jay Manning, former director of the Washington Department of Ecology. The panel presented its findings and 42 recommendations for action November 27 in Seattle.

Join us

The seminar is scheduled for 6 to 8 p.m., Thursday, January 24, in the Weyerhaeuser Room at Everett Station, 3201 Smith Avenue, Everett. In addition to the Snohomish County MRC, the event is sponsored by the Northwest Straits Commission, Puget Sound Partnership, National Fisheries Conservation Center, City of Everett, and Sustainable Fisheries Partnership.

For more information:
Visit the state’s website on ocean acidification
See the flier about the event

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