Rockport — The Island Institute, the National Fisheries Conservation Center, and the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership invite the public to join them for a half day seminar on ocean acidification at the 38th Annual Fishermen’s Forum, which runs Feb. 28-March 2 at The Samoset Resort in Rockport.

The free seminar on Thursday, Feb. 28 brings together researchers with commercial fishermen, shellfish harvesters, and growers to share stories, ask questions, and discuss next steps in addressing what can be done to protect and preserve the ocean that provides jobs and feeds families.

Facing Ocean Acidification in Maine: Identifying our stakes, questions, and tools to adapt and protect fisheries will be presented in two parts. Nick Battista and Susie Arnold from the Island Institute and Paul Anderson from Maine Sea Grant will moderate the sessions.

Come to listen, learn, and take part in the conversation about solutions.

Part One: Working in Changing Waters: Identifying your stake and Your Story

Fishermen, growers, clammers, and researchers share personal stories, findings, and questions about effects of changing seawater chemistry in Maine’s fisheries. Includes a look at how other states are working to adapt and protect resources, and an invitation to help Maine meet the challenge.

8: a.m. — Welcome to the Facing Ocean Acidification in Maine Seminar

Nick Battista, Island Institute, Rockland and Brad Warren, Global Ocean Health Program SFP/NFCC, Seattle.

8:05 a.m. — Ocean Acidification 101: What it is and why we should care. Mark Green, Saint Joseph’s College of Maine, North Windham.

8:15 a.m. — OA and Voices from the Working Waterfront. Paul Anderson, Maine Sea Grant, Orono

Clams

• Mark Green, St. Joseph’s College of Maine, North Windham

• Chad Coffin, Maine Clammers Association, Freeport

Oysters

• Bill Mook, Mook Sea Farms, Walpole

• Jeff ‘Smokey’ McKeen, Pemaquid Oyster Company, Walpole

Lobsters

• Tim Bowden, University of Maine, Orono

• Dave Cousens, Maine Lobstermen’s Association, South Thomaston

9:45 a.m. — How Shellfish Growers Launched Washington’s Initiative on Acidification

Brad Warren, Global Ocean Health Program of SFP/NFCC, Seattle.

9:50 a.m. — Part one wrap up and next steps. Susie Arnold, Island Institute, Rockland.

10 a.m. — Break

Part Two: Tools to Detect and Manage Impacts: Documenting Impacts, Informing a Strategy. Designed for scientists, resource managers and technically inclined seafood producers. This session explores the tools needed to document impacts, inform policy, and reduce harm in Maine fisheries. Forming a technical working group will be discussed.

10:10 a.m. — Welcome back for Part Two of Facing Ocean Acidification in Maine Seminar. Susie Arnold, Island Institute, Rockland

10:15 a.m. — Introduction to Seawater Monitoring Instrumentation. Joe Salisbury, University of New Hampshire, Durham, N.H.

10:30 a.m. — Monitoring at Taylor Shellfish Hatchery: Real time responses to OA. Benoit Eudeline, Taylor Shellfish Farms, Quilcene, Wash.

10.45 a.m. — A Learning Resource for Monitoring OA Impacts. Todd Capson, Global Ocean Health Program of SFP/NFCC, Washington, D.C.

10:50 a.m. — NOAA Ocean Acidification Program. Dwight Gledhill, NOAA Ocean Acidification Program, Silver Springs, Md.

11:15 a.m. — Monitoring: Moderated Discussion with questions and answers about Technical Capacity Building. Susie Arnold, Island Institute and Dwight Gledhill, NOAA Ocean Acidification Program

12:10 a.m. Closing remarks and next steps. Nick Battista, Island Institute and Brad Warren, SFP/NFCC

12:15 p.m. OA session closed

More information about the 38th annual Fisherman's Forum can be found at mainefishermensforum.org.