A recent study funded by the National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science investigated the role of specific phosphorus and nitrogen compounds in determining the amount and composition of Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning-causing toxins in cultures of two harmful algal bloom (HAB)-forming dinoflagellates from Hong Kong, Alexandrium catenella and Alexandrium tamarense. Growth and toxicity of even these [...]
Dredging channels and cleaning boat hulls or fishing gear in or near established Didemnum colonies can create fragments of these invasive organisms that survive in the water column up to four weeks, disperse long distances, and even reproduce before resettling, possibly in new areas, according to NOAA research. The article suggests that cleaning equipment on land and reducing bottom disturbance [...]
Dozens of experts from Scotland, Denmark, Canada, Mexico, and the U.S. convened in Silver Spring on March 20-21 to share insights into marine cage culture’s effects on the environment and the latest strategies to reduce them. To support growth of the U.S. aquaculture industry while maintaining environmental sustainability, Federal, state and local managers and regulators exchanged [...]
Regulatory scientists from Nicaragua, Costa Rica, El Salvador and Columbia, candidates for reference laboratories, completed two weeks of formal training for high throughput detection of toxins responsible for paralytic shellfish poison (PSP) and ciguatera fish poisoning (CFP). The course of study was provided by National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) scientists at Charleston, SC [...]
They are the seas’ silent killers, toxin-laden patches of algae that amass along coastal shores and wreck havoc on marine ecosystems. They appear with no warning and outbreaks have become more frequent. Virtually every coastal country in the world has suffered from their effects. These are harmful algal blooms (HABs), more commonly known as “red [...]
The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission’s Panel on Harmful Algal Blooms (IPHAB) met in Paris from April 12-14, 2011 to review progress on its priorities and issued Resolutions on several new initiatives in concert with leading international scientific bodies. During the session, Robert Magnien, a Director at the National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, who has been [...]
On December 15, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) signed an agreement to use a NOAA-developed technology which harnesses isotopes to assure algal toxins are below regulatory limits. The agreement formalizes a decade of collaboration with NOAA for regional studies in Asian, African and Latin American member states. Blooms of certain algae can release toxins detrimental [...]
In response to a request from Portugal, researchers from the National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science provided restoration guidance to a project whose goal is to shift parts of the Arrábida Natural Park back to its former seagrass-dominated landscape. Strong winter storms dramatically reduced both recovering natural seagrass beds as well as beds transplanted in [...]