Alaska’s crabbing industry will be hit by ocean acidification, but it isn’t clear exactly how, says Alaska Dispatch News. Ocean acidification, which breaks down the calcium carbonate in the shells of marine animals, is particularly bad off the state’s coastline. And that’s worrying news for fishermen and fish eaters alike, since 60 percent of America’s seafood comes from Alaska.
A study of Tanner crabs found that the larvae could withstand higher acidity, but the embryos struggled with acidic levels. Another study, of blue king crabs, discovered that if juveniles managed to survive their first 100 days, they would start to actually adjust their body chemistry to the acidic environment. Forty percent were able to do this, while the rest died. The survivors had a slower growth rate. The two studies are part of a larger project on ocean acidification and crabs conducted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in Alaska and the University of Washington.