OASeS
The Olympic Coast Ocean Acidification Sentinel Site (OASeS) is working to inform resource managers and coastal communities about the impacts of OA on its marine resources, cultures, communities and economies to ensure they are prepared for changing ocean
Matt McIntosh, Office of National Marine Sanctuaries
Scope of activities
OASeS will improve our ability to understand, predict, and respond to CO2-driven ocean change along the Olympic Coast by:
- enhancing coordination and cooperation among scientists and managers operating on this remote but oceanographically significant region;
- facilitating knowledge exchange with tribal nations and other coastal communities to ensure that scientific objectives are responsive to local information needs and priorities; and
- mobilizing public support for action by broadly communicating how ocean change is affecting Olympic Coast marine resources, communities, cultures, and economies.
Team leaders
Tommy Moore
Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission (Website)
Katie Wrubel
Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary (Website)
Accomplishments
The Office of National Marine Sanctuaries formally recognized the work of the OASeS partnership by designating Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary an Ocean Acidification Sentinel Site in 2019. The four coastal treaty tribes who are sustained by these waters - the Makah, Quileute, and Hoh tribes and the Quinault Indian Nation - together with the state of Washington, resolved to support this designation for the entire Washington coast. A roundtable-style steering committee composed of 18-member entities was formed to guide OASeS activities and ensure broad representation of coastal resource manager and stakeholder interests.