Coastal Services Center

Harmful Algal Bloom Project

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Concerns about harmful algal blooms (HAB) have increased over the last decade largely because of the perceived increase in the number and duration of events. The toxins produced by these species cause finfish and shellfish poisoning and mortality of marine animals, including mammals and birds.

The tools developed through this project are designed to address Karenia brevis, formerly Gymnodinium breve, blooms in the Gulf of Mexico. This species, responsible for red tides, routinely occurs along the southwest coast of Florida in the late summer and early fall and can persist for up to three months. This type of bloom has occured as far north as the barrier islands of North Carolina. These blooms impact fisheries and tourist industries by inducing neurotoxic shellfish poisoning. Aquatic organisms are affected either by the neurotoxin itself or the by the reduced water quality that results from a bloom. Human health is compromised by the presence of dead and decaying fish in the waters and on the beach and by the production of aerosols that cause asthma-like symptoms.

Advance warning of harmful algal blooms (HABs) increases the options for managing these events. The HAB Forecasting System provided by NOAA supplies information on the location, extent, and potential for development or movement of Karenia brevis blooms in the Gulf of Mexico. For information about the most recent bloom conditions, visit the HAB Forecasting Web site.

In April 2004, a workshop was held to explore the needs of the user community with regard to HABs and ocean observations within the context of detecting, predicting, and forecasting HAB events. You may download a copy of the workshop report below or request a copy via the Center's Product Clearinghouse.

Action Plan for Harmful Algal Blooms and the Gulf of Mexico Coastal Ocean Observing System: Results from a Regional Workshop (1.55 Megabytes)

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