This project will enhance the adaptive capacity of the atlantic sea scallop fishery to ocean acidification

The University of Connecticut received a $1,133,554 Cooperative Agreement from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) under the Ocean Acidification Program (OAP, CFDA 11.017), awarded September 1, 2025, through August 31, 2028. This project enhances the adaptive capacity of the Atlantic sea scallop fishery to ocean acidification by integrating oceanographic modeling, industry engagement, and socio-economic research. The primary deliverables include: (1) seasonal forecasts of subsurface ocean conditions including temperature, oxygen, and partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO2); (2) dynamic energy budget modeling to forecast sea scallop growth and mortality within rotational management areas; (3) a fuzzy cognitive mapping-based conceptual model of the sea scallop fishery's social-ecological system to identify vulnerabilities and adaptation strategies; (4) research findings on how fishermen engagement in data collection influences trust in scientific models and decision-making; and (5) tested adaptation strategies co-developed with the fishing industry.

The cooperative agreement incorporates three sub-awardees—the Commercial Fisheries Research Foundation, University of Maryland College Park, and Rutgers University—to collaboratively develop actionable strategies for Atlantic sea scallop fishing communities under the "Collaborating with Fishing Communities to Adapt" initiative. Expected outcomes include seasonal forecasts for management decision-making, strengthened scientist-industry collaboration and trust, policy recommendations to mitigate impacts of extreme events on fishing operations, and identification of socio-economic vulnerabilities and resilience pathways specific to ocean acidification impacts on the sea scallop industry.

By integrating oceanographic modeling, industry engagement, and socio-economic research, the project plans to develop actionable adaptation strategies for industry and management. The five main objectives include: develop and evaluate seasonal forecasts of subsurface ocean conditions such as temperature, oxygen, and PCO2; use a dynamic energy budget (DEB) model to seasonally forecast sea scallop growth and mortality within rotational management areas; construct a conceptual model of the sea scallops fisherys social-ecological system using fuzzy cognitive mapping (FCM) to identify vulnerabilities and adaptation strategies; investigate whether involving fisherman in data collection increases trust in scientific models and improves decision-making; and, test adaptation strategies CO-developed with the fishing industry. There will be engagement with fishermen collecting the data for the oceanographic models. The expected outcomes from this project include seasonal forecasts to inform decision-making, strengthened collaboration and trust between scientists and the fishing community, policy recommendations to mitigate impacts of extreme events on the fishing industry, and identification of key socio-economic vulnerabilities to ocean acidification and resilience pathways for the sea scallop industry.