Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs)

Abstract

H armful algal blooms impact human health, marine environments, and also can have a large economic impact. Th e majority of the economic losses are due to fi sheries closures and loss of tourism. A recent EPA publication estimates that the impact of HABs on the US economy is over $40 million each year. By improving monitoring and prediction of HABs, growers are able to modify or adjust their business practices. Th e serious human health risks are due primarily to eating contaminated seafood, shellfi sh, fi nfi sh, and crustaceans. Th ere are effi cient monitoring programs in place that are protecting and preventing the majority of human exposure to these toxins. But the monitoring programs don't protect marine wildlife, and these HABs are responsible for the death of many species of marine mammals and seabirds. Th us, a rapid and eff ective method to monitor and detect the presence of HABs and their toxins is of high importance. Some harmful algal species don't produce toxins or pose a risk to human health, but they can still cause large fi sh and shellfi sh die-off s and disrupt the marine environment. Th ese are often due to physical attributes, such as mucus or spines which clog or puncture, respectively, the gills of the animals feeding on them. Th e impacts of HABs on the environment and the potential risk for human health are large and varied, and yet we know very little about what specifi cally causes blooms to occur, toxins to be produced, and how to predict when and where they will occur. When a bloom occurs what should you do? I n general, harmful algal blooms along the West Coast pose no problems to swimmers or other recreational activities other than fi shing. Always check for warning and closures before harvesting and eating shellfi sh. Exercise caution when eating fi sh caught during HABs, removing the viscera is strongly recommended. Discoloration of the water does not necessarily indicate a HAB (as many species that color the water are nontoxic), but again check for closures of shellfi sh beds. For more HAB info please visit: