The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution’s U.S. National Office for Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) has released a comprehensive national science strategy outlining a decade-long roadmap aimed at enhancing the understanding, monitoring and management of HABs.
HABs are a well-established and severe threat to human health, economies and marine and freshwater ecosystems on all coasts of the United States and its inland waters, according to WHOI. Their impacts, intensity, and geographic range have increased over past decades, due to both human-induced and natural changes.
The document, “HARRNESS 2024–2034: Harmful Algal Research and Response, A National Environmental Science Strategy” does the following:
- defines the magnitude, scope and diversity of the HAB problem in US salt, brackish and fresh waters;
- addresses knowledge gaps;
- strengthens coordination among agencies, stakeholders and partners;
- advances the development of effective research and management solutions; and
- builds resilience to address the broad range of HAB impacts to vulnerable communities and ecosystems in the USA.
The science strategy is structured around four main themes, according to WHOI:
- HAB observing systems and modeling,
- HAB detection and ecological impacts,
- HAB management, and
- the human dimensions of HABs, including socioeconomics and education.
Each theme covers the current scientific and technological landscape, identifies remaining knowledge gaps and offers future recommendations to advance research, monitoring and management of HABs.
Don Anderson, director of the US National Office for Harmful Algal Blooms and a senior scientist in Biology at WHOI, said:
“This science strategy, prepared by a long list of scientists, managers, and stakeholders, provides an updated picture of the magnitude of the HAB issues in U.S waters and offers wide-ranging recommendations on next steps to increase the effectiveness of efforts to minimize HABs impacts on human health, the environment, and our economy.”
Check out the study here.
