Addressing the impacts of ocean acidification (OA) in Pacific Islands and Territories requires increased understanding of local OA conditions, identification of effective and sustainable adaptation and mitigation approaches, and the development of strategies to address the changes to the ecosystems, communities, livelihoods and economies. To assist in these efforts, the Pacific Islands Ocean Acidification Centre (PIOAC) was created in 2021 through combined international and local efforts to support OA capacity development throughout the Pacific. PIOAC is working with Pacific partners to find local solutions to address the impacts of OA through (a) training to increase regional expertise in ocean acidification monitoring, (b) advice on the application of monitoring to support adaptation and mitigation approaches, (c) access to international networks that support monitoring, action, and policy efforts, and (d) assistance with ocean acidification data management and accessibility. This presentation details how the PIOAC could serve as a model for building local capacity for OA research through public-private partnerships for Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

Primary Presenter: Kim Currie, NIWA (kim.currie@niwa.co.nz)

Authors:

Kalina Grabb, NOAA Ocean Acidification Program, Silver Spring, MD, 20910, USA  (kalina.grabb@noaa.gov)

Kim Currie, NIWA, Dunedin, New Zealand  (kim.currie@niwa.co.nz)

Katy Soapi, The Pacific Community (SPC), Suva, Fiji  (katys@spc.int)

Gilianne Brodie, University of the South Pacific (USP), Suva, Fiji  (gilianne.brodie@usp.ac.fj)

Pierre-Yves Charpentier, The Pacific Community (SPC), Noumea, New Caledonia  (pierreyvesc@spc.int)

Elizabeth Jewett, NOAA Ocean Acidification Program, Silver Spring, MD, 20910, USA  (libby.jewett@noaa.gov)

Gabby Kitch, NOAA Ocean Acidification Program, Silver Spring, MD, 20910, USA  (gabby.kitch@noaa.gov)

Meredith Kurz, NOAA Office of International Affairs, Silver Spring, MD, 20910, USA  (meredith.kurz@noaa.gov)

Adrien Lauranceau-Moineau, The Pacific Community (SPC), Suva, Fiji  (adrienlm@spc.int)

Kaitlyn Lowder, The Ocean Foundation, Washington DC, USA  (klowder@oceanfdn.org)

Francis Mani, University of the South Pacific (USP), Suva, Fiji  (francis.mani@usp.ac.fj)

Christina McGraw, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand  (christina.mcgraw@otago.ac.nz)

Azaria Pickering, The Pacific Community (SPC), Suva, Fiji  (azariap@spc.int)

Lily Rios-Brady, The Ocean Foundation, Washington DC, USA  (lriosbrady@oceanfdn.org)

Alexis Valauri-Orton, The Ocean Foundation, Washington DC, USA  (avalauriorton@oceanfdn.org)