Harmful Algal Blooms : A scientific summary for policy makers

Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) result from noxious and/or toxic algae that causedirect and indirect negative impacts to aquatic ecosystems, coastal resources, andhuman health. HABs are present in nearly all aquatic environments (freshwater, brackish andmarine), as naturally occurring phenomena. Many HABs are increasing in severity and frequency, and biogeographicalrange. Causes are complex, but in some cases can be attributed to climate changeand human impacts, including eutrophication, habitat modification, and human-mediatedintroduction of exogenous species. There is no plan, and nor realistic possibility, to eliminate HABs and/or their dependentconsequences. Decades of research and monitoring have, however, improved ourunderstanding of HAB events, leading to better monitoring and prediction strategies. HABs are a worldwide phenomenon requiring an international understandingleading ultimately to local and regional solutions. Continued progress in research,management, mitigation, and prediction of HABs benefits from internationalcoordination. In this spirit, the international community has developed programmessponsored by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) and ScientificCommittee on Oceanic Research (SCOR) to coordinate international HAB research,framework activities, and capacity building. HABs are recognized as one facet of complex ecosystem interactions with humansociety. HAB research, monitoring, and management must be closely integrated withpolicy decisions that affect our global oceans. New initiatives, such as GlobalHAB sponsored by IOC and SCOR, will continue toprovide the mechanisms to further understand, predict, and mitigate HABs. Research,management, and mitigation efforts directed towards HABs must be coordinatedwith other local, national, and international efforts focused on food and watersecurity, human and ecosystem health, ocean observing, and climate change.