About This Project

Ocean acidification (OA) exacerbated by climate change is a current environmental stressor affecting Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in Nigeria. This project aims to monitor the challenges posed by OA as it affects sustainable development and conservation of MPAs in Nigeria. The Project will empower coastal zone and MPA managers; will build the capacity of researchers in OA monitoring in Nigeria and enhance enforcement of legislations on marine conservation practices.

Ask the Scientists

What is the context of this research?

The maritime industries in Nigeria consist of coastal aquaculture and a developing blue economy. Despite the critical importance of these industries to the nation's GDP and sustainable livelihood, there is lack of comprehensive data and understanding of how ocean acidification is affecting the MPAs, marine biodiversity and marine economic activities. Furthermore, the socio-economic impacts of ocean acidification on communities that depend on marine resources for their livelihoods remain under-researched, potentially leading to inadequate or misguided policy responses. This study aims to address these gaps by using GOA-ON Box Kits to monitor ocean acidification in identified MPAs, assessing its impacts on fishery production and provide critical insights for the development of effective mitigation and adaptation strategies to safeguard Nigeria’s blue economy and the MPAs. Additionally, this research seeks to establish OA and EOV baseline data for the region.

What is the significance of this project?

GOA-ON Box Kits is an international OA assessment tool that provides accurate and reliable oceanographic data needed to manage critical marine ecosystems such as MPAs. The results of the project will assist in the understanding of the Regional Impacts of Ocean Acidification, its effects on Marine Ecosystems services/ sustainable livelihoods, its Socio-Economic Implications, Climate Change Interactions, and Vulnerability of Coastal Habitats such as MPAs to OA. It will also facilitate the development MPAs and relevant Policies and Management Strategies by the Nigerian Government. Furthermore, by studying ocean acidification in the Gulf of Guinea, it will contribute to the global understanding of how climate change and human activities affect marine ecosystems and coastal communities, as well as providing crucial data for regional resilience and adaptation strategies. It will create the awareness of ocean's influence on man and man’s influence on the ocean.

What are the goals of the project?

Aim of the Project: This project aims to monitor the impacts of OA on identified MPAs and proffer practicable solutions for their sustainable management. Firstly, data will be collected and generated through the administration of semi-structured questionnaires, focus group discussions and in-depth interviews of community leaders, legislators and principal officers of government parastatals. Secondly, Measurement of Carbonate system parameters and EOVs will involve monthly monitoring and collection of water samples from 24 designated locations stretching from the Cross-river estuary to the Ibeno river estuary, Nigeria. Measurable parameters include pH, CO₃, DIC, pCO2 and HCO3 in seawater. Standard protocols outlined by the GOA-ON methodology, will be followed to ensure data accuracy. Others include DO, SSS, SST, NO₃, PO₄, turbidity and chlorophyll concentrations. The Project will also build capacity and national network among stakeholders in Nigeria.