Mitigation and Building Resilience through Kelp and Seagrass
OA Alliance Webinar Recording (60 minutes)
May 14, 2020
Exploring the Role of Kelp and Seagrass
Agenda
(1) Welcome and Framing Introductions
Ms. Jessie Turner, OA Alliance, Project Coordinator
Brief overview of the OA Alliance and OA Action Plans
Introduction of webinar themes and agenda/ review of 2018 presentations
California seagrass efforts referenced at the beginning of this webinar are currently underway by lead PI Dr. Tessa Hill, Professor, UC Davis, and many partners, including Drs. Melissa Ward and Aurora Richart.
(2) Role of Kelp Farming as a Potential Strategy for Remediating Ocean Acidification and Improving Shellfish Cultivation
Dr. Nichole Price, Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences
What is a “halo effect” as specific to SAV/ macroalgae’s potential impact on ocean and coastal acidification?
How significantly were industry partners (Ocean Approved seaweed farm/ mussel growers) involved in the study and/or in following the findings of your research?
How is your research being utilized by other entities in the region (government or non-government?)
(3) Port of Seattle Deploying Submerged Aquatic Vegetation to Help Meet Climate Goal of Becoming Carbon Neutral by 2050
Mr. Jon Sloan, Senior Manager, Environmental Programs at the Port of Seattle
Describe the Port’s Rational for its ambitious goal to become carbon neutral by 2050.
Overview of the Blue Carbon Pilot Project at Smith Cove including the emphasis on: carbon sequestration, fish and wildlife habitat, water quality improvement, ocean acidification refugia and wave/ current attenuation.
How will the blue carbon pilot be evaluated (key partnerships in helping to monitor and evaluate impacts)?
(4) Intervention from Sasakawa Peace Foundation, Ocean Policy Research Institute
Mr. Tomohiko Tsunoda, Senior Research Fellow, Ocean Policy Research Institute of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation
Describe the outcomes of the 5-year Program on Ocean Acidification
Provide an update on the Blue Carbon pilot projects looking at the role kelp, seagrass beds might play in reducing impacts of ocean acidification.
(5) Role of Seagrass as a Potential Strategy for Remediating Ocean Acidification Impacts on Coral Reef
Dr. Derek Manzello, Research Oceanographer, NOAA National Coral Reef Monitoring Program
What does “ocean acidification refugia” mean? Briefly, how is it determined or measured?
Why is it important to conduct research that examines the potential of ocean acidification refugia for coral reef?(briefly, how might OA exacerbate existing stressors faced by coral reef?)
What did your research/paper find, regarding the potential for seagrass beds to ameliorate or help provide OA refugia for coral reef downstream or within seagrass beds?
(6) Seagrass as a nature-based solution to climate change
Dr. Stacy Baez, Officer, Coastal Wetlands and Coral Reefs, The Pew Charitable Trusts
Why is seagrass such an essential ecosystem, including its potential to sequester carbon?
Overview of Seychelles seagrass mapping project (what is the objective, who are the partners and what will be the final outcome?)
Why is it important to get a global stock-take of seagrass ecosystems, existing or potential for restoration?