On May 23-24, Ohio state, county and academic researchers met with scientists from the National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science to coordinate sampling and measurement strategies for this year's harmful algal bloom season, which begins in June.

Adding to the suite of activities this year, Erie County will add cyanobacteria detection to their water quality and beach monitoringprograms. Ohio State University's Stone Laboratory will take over issuing the harmful algal bloom bulletin from NOAA's Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory.NCCOS's Beaufort, NC laboratory will analyze samples and data to refine the forecasts, which are based on satellite data.

Scientists fromErie County, Ohio Department of Health, and Ohio State University's Stone Laboratory will monitor the blooms in Sandusky Bay and Lake Erie.