
Increasing numbers of toxic algal blooms in coastal waters and lakes have large social and economic impacts.
NOAA’s new interactive story map Hitting us where it hurts: The untold story of harmful algal blooms documents the economic and social impacts of harmful algal blooms (HABs), with data from almost 40 events, personal stories, and an overview of what NOAA is doing to support communities affected by HABs. NOAA also created a socioeconomic HAB impacts website that focuses on the 2015 HAB event on the U.S. West Coast and its impact on the Dungeness Crab fishery.
These resources were developed by NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service Northwest Fisheries Science Center and NOAA’s National Ocean Service National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, and the University of Washington.

