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An Ocean Blueprint for the 21st Century - California Ocean ...

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Figure 23.1 Harmful Algal Blooms on <strong>the</strong> RisePre-1972Post-1972Alaska Hawaii Puerto Rico Alaska Hawaii Puerto RicoType of Outbreak ObservedPfiesteria ComplexNeurotoxic Shellfish PoisoningParalytic Shellfish PoisoningCiguateraBrown TideAmnesic Shellfish PoisoningOutbreaks of harmful algal blooms and related events, such as fish kills and marine mammal mortalities, have become moreprevalent over <strong>the</strong> past thirty years. This can be attributed to many causes, including increases in nutrient runoff that enhance<strong>the</strong> growth of <strong>the</strong>se types of organisms. However, a portion of <strong>the</strong> rise in reported bloom events may simply reflect betterdetection methods and more observers.Source: National Office <strong>for</strong> Marine Biotoxins and Harmful Algal Blooms, Woods Hole <strong>Ocean</strong>ographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA.Better coordination would help leverage <strong>the</strong> relatively few but successful HAB researchprograms currently being supported by <strong>the</strong> federal government (such as ECOHAB,MERHAB—Monitoring and Event Response <strong>for</strong> Harmful Algal Blooms; NOAA’s NationalMarine Biotoxin program and HAB sensor development and <strong>for</strong>ecasting program, andef<strong>for</strong>ts supported by <strong>the</strong> CDC, states, and o<strong>the</strong>rs).Improved monitoring techniques are also essential in mitigating <strong>the</strong> harmful impactsof HABs. Sampling directly from <strong>the</strong> natural environment can help researchers compilean overall HAB picture, laying <strong>the</strong> foundation <strong>for</strong> predictive modeling and <strong>for</strong>ecasting.Numerous monitoring programs already exist, many of which are funded by state governments.However, routine field sampling, combined with laboratory analysis, is expensiveand time consuming, and becomes more so as greater numbers of toxins and pathogens arediscovered over larger geographic areas. Monitoring technologies that can be stationed inaquatic environments and continually measure <strong>for</strong> HABs are urgently needed. (Chapters 15and 26 include broader discussions of national monitoring and observing needs.)To cover larger areas, monitoring data collected from remote sensing plat<strong>for</strong>ms areessential. NOAA is currently developing and testing techniques to <strong>for</strong>ecast HAB occurrenceand movement using satellite sensors. The complementary development and deploymentof satellites and moored sensors will provide even greater coverage, cross-referencedground truthing, and more frequent site-specific sampling. These elements will add up tobetter data sets <strong>for</strong> monitoring of HABs. As more data are collected on HAB occurrences,researchers will be able to more accurately predict future outbreaks by using advancedcomputer models and taking into account <strong>the</strong> physical and biological conditions leadingto HABs.C HAPTER 23: CONNECTING THE O CEANS AND H UMAN H EALTH345

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