To improve communication and collaboration among scientists and public health practitioners focused on responding to outbreaks of paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP),the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services convened a workshopin January 2012.

National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science scientists and external partners shared lessons from their efforts to respond to PSP outbreaks in 2011 and 2010. Updates were provided on NCCOS HAB research projects develop a new PSP test kit and to bring new HAB cell and toxin detection methods into state and industry commercial shellfish monitoring.

A need for sustained programs that safeguard Alaska's traditional subsistence and recreational shellfish harvests was also highlighted by workshop participants.

For more information:
Alaska Toxic Algae Event Endangers Public Health