The likelihood of frequent exposure to saxitoxins in the New England region, specifically in Maine, may be a serious long-term health threat to shortnose sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum). NCCOS scientists have now confirmed the presence of saxitoxins in this endangered species and provided evidence of food web transfer of these toxins produced by the harmful algae [...]
Bruce Keafer calls it a robot in a box. Roughly the size of a kitchen sink, it was lowered into the waters off Portsmouth, N.H., last week, where it will sample marine organisms to measure toxic red tide cells over the next 45 days. The device, he hopes, will be a tool for forecasting outbreaks [...]
During the week of April 26, researchers funded by the National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science deployed a sensor that detects cells of the species of algae responsible for toxic red tides in the Gulf of Maine. The device relays its data back to scientists on land to enable state agencies decide whether or not [...]
A moderate “red tide” is expected in New England this spring and summer that could force the closing of shellfish beds, according to experts. A red tide is a type of harmful algae bloom. The algae in the water don’t pose a direct threat to people, but toxins produced by the algae can accumulate in [...]
In April, scientists from the National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science-funded Prevention, Control, and Mitigation of Harmful Algal Blooms research project in the Gulf of Maine issued an outlook for moderate regional algal blooms in 2012. The species is a microscopic alga, Alexandrium fundyense, which blooms in New England waters every year. This alga can [...]
New England is expected to experience a “moderate” regional “red tide” this spring and summer, report NOAA-funded scientists working in the Gulf of Maine to study the toxic algae that causes the bloom. The algae in the water pose no direct threat to human beings, however the toxins they produce can accumulate in filter-feeding organisms [...]
Scientists from a NOAA-funded project in the Gulf of Maine issued an outlook for a moderate season of toxic algae blooms known as ‘red tides’ in the spring and summer of this year, indicating some risk to the New England shellfish industry. When the algae drift into commercial beds, state agencies shutter them for consumer [...]
The January 2012 issue of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC)’s Harmful Algae News No. 45 featured NCCOS harmful algal bloom forecasts–both under development and operational. The article, “Harmful Algal Bloom Operational Forecast System in the US,” describes each forecast, how far along it is in development, plans for the future, as well as why each system is [...]