NOAA is hosting a series of regional webinars designed to initiate conversation between federal representatives and stakeholders on a number of topics related to harmful algal blooms (HABs) and hypoxia startingthis Thursday, at12:30 pm EDT. The meetings will be led by the Interagency Working Group on the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Amendments Act of 2014 ( IWG-HABHRCA ), which is comprised of representatives from a number of federal agencies.Through these webinars, the group seeks to connect and speak with a wide range of stakeholders, including relevant management and planning bodies, resource officials, economists, tribal resource management officials, scientists and public health experts, industries affected by HABs and hypoxia, nonprofit groups, the general public, and others.

Topics on the agenda include: regional priorities for HABs research, perceived needs for handling HAB and hypoxia events, and communication methods used to educate the public about HABs. All parties interested in participating in the webinars must preregister by emailing Caitlin Gould before5 p.m. EDTof the evening before each webinar.

Regional Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Webinar dates include:

• Southeast/Gulf of Mexico/Mid-Atlantic - April 2, 2015, 12:30 p.m.-1:30 p.m. EDT
• Inland/Great Lakes - April 22, 2015, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. EDT
• Northwest - April 29, 2015, 2:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. EDT(11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. PDT)
• Northeast - April 30, 2015, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. EDT

Call information can be found inthe Federal Register Notice.

Satellite image of an intense harmful algal bloom in 2013, which was concentrated in Lake Erie'swestern basin. HABHRCA is in place to continue to strengthen the science and coordination that leads to more accurateHAB forecasts and faster response efforts. Credit: NOAA.

Stakeholders are encouraged to submit comments and questions in advance of and following each webinar. Electronic comments and questions may be submitted via email ( IWG-HABHRCA@noaa.gov ). Written comments may be submitted to Caitlin Gould at NOAA, National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, SSMC-4, #8234, 1305 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910.

For more information, please contact Caitlin.Gould@noaa.gov.