The National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science's (NCCOS) Kasitsna Bay Laboratory helped organize and participated in the 2012 Kachemak Bay Marine Science Conference, held on March 8-10, 2012 in Homer, Alaska. The multidisciplinary conference focused on how the health and diversity of coastal resources in Kachemak Bay are critical for resilience in both natural and human communities.

Research supported by Kasitsna Bay Laboratory was highlighted in eight talks and two posters, covering climate change impacts on kelp forests, ocean acidification impacts on baby crabs, nearshore marine biodiversity, octopus behavior near fishing pots, and very popular new color maps and 'fly-through' animations from NOAA seafloor data.

The conference brings together a unique mix of researchers, coastal managers, local media and community members to share information on how to best sustain the resources that provide food, jobs and recreation for Kachemak Bay communities, in the face of rapid climate change.