AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) _ Supporters of the creation of a group to tackle challenges caused by Maine's changing ocean chemistry say the organization will form without an act by the state legislature.
A Maine legislative panel voted down the creation of an ``Ocean Acidification Council'' about a month ago. Members of the panel were concerned the proposal wasn't politically viable.
A group of non-governmental organizations says it will tackle creating the council itself. The groups include the Island Institute and Friends of Casco Bay.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration defines chemical changes in the ocean caused by carbon dioxide emissions as ``ocean acidification.'' A temporary ocean acidification council issued a February 2015 report about the potential impacts of this kind of ocean pollution on Maine's fishing industry.