On March 26, 2019, the annual Gulf of Maine (GOM) Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) Meeting took place in Portland, Maine.
NCCOS scientists participated in discussions with stakeholders, scientists, state and federal agency partners regarding the latest information on Alexandrium, Pseudo-nitzschia, and Dinophysis blooms, toxicity, and modeling. These toxic algae cause paralytic shellfish poisoning, amnesic shellfish poisoning, and diarrhetic shellfish poisoning respectively.
Also on the agenda were 2018 and planned 2019 Environmental Sample Processor (ESP) and Imaging Flow Cytobot (IFCB) monitoring deployments. A new issue identified is grazer-induced toxicity of Alexandrium. NCCOS provided the cyst map, model status, and a seasonal Alexandrium forecast for 2019.
NCCOS participants at the GOM HAB included Rick Stumpf, Marc Suddleson, Maggie Broadwater, Yizhen Li, and Beth Turner. NCCOS sponsored investigators attending included Kate Hubbard (Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission) and Hans Dam (University of Connecticut).
The annual meeting provides an opportunity for increased outreach, coordination, and scientific understanding regarding GOM HABs. NCCOS scientists and sponsored investigators participate each year updating others regarding NCCOS HAB research.