Harmful Algal Blooms

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) pose threats to the environment, public health, and a variety of commercial interests and industries. A single bloom can lead to devastating outcomes, including large mortalities of marine organisms (e.g., fish kills); toxic contamination of filter-feeding organisms such as bivalve shellfish that subsequently enter the market for distribution to consumers; economic hardships for fisheries, aquaculture, and recreational- and tourism-related industries; and a compromised quality of life for people living or working along affected shorelines