The US' National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Subcommittee on Ocean Science and Technology (SOST) is establishing an Ocean Acidification Advisory Board (OAAB) -- and seeking members of the seafood industry to be a part of it.

A notice regarding the establishment of OAAB was posted in the Federal Register on Wednesday (Nov. 13). Per the announcement, OAAB will provide "independent advice and recommendations to the Interagency Working Group on Ocean Acidification (IWG-OA) and the SOST on matters related to federal activities on ocean and coastal acidification."

The goal is to understand the impacts, as well as develop mitigation techniques for both ecosystems and human communities, according to the summary.

The notice also informs that it is seeking nominations for membership on the OAAB. The board will consist of 25 members representing a host of different areas. On the seafood side, NOAA is seeking two representatives of the shellfish, lobster or crab industry, as well as one representative from the finfish industry and one representative for seafood processors.

Recreational fishers will also have a representative, but other members of the board will be representatives from state and local governments, and acidification networks along the coasts. 

Ocean acidification is primarily caused by human activities and can have a big impact on marine life -- particularly shellfish. As explained by the US Department of Agriculture, ocean acidification "makes it harder for shellfish to build their shells," which makes them more vulnerable to predators and also increases stress on major organs.