We are studying harmful algae in Alaska to understand when and why they occur, and how they spread. We are using genetic tools and advanced monitoring to identify the algae and track them through the food chain into commercial and subsistence seafood. Our goal is to create better forecasts and toxin detection kits so people know when it is safe to harvest fish and shellfish. This work is critical for protecting the local food supply and the economic well-being of the region’s fisheries.
Why We Care
Harmful algal blooms (HABs) are a serious threat to the health of our oceans, our communities, and Alaska’s economy. When certain microscopic algae bloom, they can produce toxins that accumulate in shellfish and other marine life, making them dangerous for people to eat.
For the people of Alaska, this is not just an environmental issue; it is a direct threat to:
- Food Safety and Security: Seafood is a cornerstone of the Alaskan diet. This project works to ensure that local communities can harvest their food safely.
- Economic Stability: The growing mariculture (shellfish farming) and commercial crab industries in South Central Alaska face costly shutdowns and major losses when HABs occur. By clarifying the actual risk, we help these industries avoid unnecessary closures.
- Community Preparedness: Remote communities in Alaska need fast, reliable ways to detect toxins. This research provides the tools and information necessary for a more robust, local, year-round monitoring and response system.
What We Are Doing
NCCOS and our partners are carrying out a three-part effort to tackle the challenge of harmful algae in Kachemak Bay and Kodiak, Alaska. This approach combines modern science with on-the-ground monitoring to deliver practical results for local decision-makers, harvesters, and consumers.
Project Goals:
- Year-Round Early Warning: Establish the ability to detect blooms right as they start, across all seasons, to give forecasters and communities maximum lead time.
- Rapid Response Technology: Equip regional teams with fast, easy-to-use toxin detection kits to quickly test for toxins in remote locations.
- Predict Bloom Movement: Understand where the “seed banks” of dormant algae cysts are and how water currents transport them to predict where the next bloom will occur.
- Assess Seafood Risk: Determine the true risk to consumers by modeling the food web and pathways for toxins to accumulate in species like oysters, mussels, and crab.
Benefits of Our Work
The results of this project will have direct, positive consequences for Alaska residents:
- Safer Seafood: Our research provides the critical information needed to manage harvests safely, reducing the risk of paralytic and amnesic shellfish poisoning for commercial, subsistence, and recreational harvesters.
- Stronger Economies: By providing accurate, real-time risk assessment, we help the oyster and crab fisheries avoid unnecessary and costly closures, supporting local businesses and jobs.
- Better Forecasting: We are generating the new ecological and genetic information necessary to create more precise harmful algal bloom forecasts for the region, which is a key priority for national forecasting efforts.
- Increased Local Capacity: We are establishing sustainable, on-site monitoring and response efforts in Alaska, increasing the region’s ability to protect its own people and resources for years to come.