WORLD METEOROLOGICAL ORGANIZATION
________________________
INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC
COMMISSION (OF UNESCO)
________________________
JOINT WMO/IOC TECHNICAL COMMISSION FOR
OCEANOGRAPHY AND MARINE METEOROLOGY (JCOMM)
EXPERT TEAM ON MARINE ACCIDENT
EMERGENCY SUPPORT
ETMAES-I/Doc. 3.1
(15.I.2007)
__________
ITEM 3.1
FIRST SESSION
ANGRA DOS REIS, BRAZIL, 29 TO 31 JANUARY 2007
Original: ENGLISH
REPORT ON HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOMS
(Submitted by Dr Henrik Enevoldsen, Coordinator of the IOC Harmful Algal Bloom
Programme)
Summary and Purpose of Document
This document contains the report of the Coordinator of the IOC Harmful Algal
Bloom Programme that aims to describe potential contributions from the Expert
Team on Maritime Accident and Emergency Support (ETMAES) that could help in
understanding and forecasting HABs.
ACTION PROPOSED
The Expert Team on Marine Accident Emergency Support (ETMAES) is invited to note
the information contained in this document and to provide guidance, as appropriate, regarding its
future work in support of IOC Harmful Algal Bloom Programme.
______________________
ETMAES-I/Doc. 3.1, p. 2
DISCUSSION
1.
The proliferation of harmful phytoplankton in marine ecosystems can cause massive fish
deaths, contaminate seafood with toxins, impact local and regional economies and dramatically
affect ecological balance. Real-time observations are essential for effective short-term
operational forecasting, but observation and modelling systems are under development.
2.
There is widespread interest throughout the world in the installation of ocean observation
systems to provide the data and knowledge needed to detect and forecast physical, chemical
and biological changes in coastal and open-ocean ecosystems. Recent advances in
instrumentation, communications and modelling capabilities have led to the design of prototype
real-time observation and prediction systems for coastal ecosystems. Important phenomena in
coastal waters include flooding and coastal erosion, oxygen depletion due to eutrophication and
harmful algal blooms (HABs). However, many of the new approaches are unfamiliar to potential
users. Optical and chemical sensors are, for instance, increasingly used from various platforms.
Effective use of these sensors does not necessarily require advanced technical training, but it
does require knowledge of the underlying theoretical and technical principles such as: how to
properly deploy these instruments, methods for processing data, approaches for interpreting the
results within reasonable limits and how such results can be incorporated into different kinds of
predictive models.
3.
The majority of the monitoring and observation systems on harmful algae in operation
(http://www.ioc.unesco.org/hab/data2.htm#1) are strictly set up to protect a given resource
(cultured finfish, cultured or wild shellfish, public health, etc.). This is reflected in a variety of
approaches in chosen methodology and parameters, all dependent on the system
(hydrographical regime, harmful species, resource, etc.) to be protected. Some systems deliver
continuous data sets of great research value, while other have very abrupt time series as field
observations are only made when triggered by secondary parameter (e.g., algal toxins in
processed shellfish) or warnings from adjacent areas. Most management action in relation to
harmful algal events is thus based on sets of system specific data. The international parameters
that are providing reference for the design of specific HAB observation systems are in most
cases the regional (EU, APEC and USFDA) regulations on tolerance levels of marine bio-toxins
in food products and associated guidelines for levels of harmful micro-algae in the water under
observation. The regional/national regulations have, as common reference, the WHO/FAO
Codex Committee on Fish and Fishery Products (CCFFP). The IOC has published guidelines
for design and implementation of HAB monitoring systems, Monitoring and Management
Strategies for Harmful Algal Blooms in Coastal Waters, by D. M. Anderson, P. Andersen, V. M.
Bricelj, J. J. Cullen and J. E. Rensel1. This 268-page report provides a broad review of the many
programs, technologies, and policies used worldwide in the monitoring and management of
harmful algal blooms in coastal waters. A PDF version of the Table of Contents is available at
the following web address: http://www.whoi.edu/redtide/Monitoring_Mgt_Report.html.
4.
Shortly, the IOC-UNESCO will publish a ‘UNESCO Monographs on Oceanographic
Methodology’: Real-time Coastal Observing Systems for Marine Ecosystem Dynamics and
Harmful Algal Blooms: Theory, Instrumentation and Modelling, edited by Marcel Babin, Collin
Roesler and John Cullen. This volume offers guidance for developing real-time and near realtime sensing systems for observing and predicting plankton dynamics, including harmful algal
blooms, in coastal waters. It explains the underlying theory and discusses current directions in
research and monitoring in looking at instrumentation and modelling. Topics treated include:
coastal ecosystems and dynamics of harmful algal blooms; theory and practical applications of in
situ and remotely sensed optical detection of micro-algal distributions and composition; theory
and practical applications of in situ biological and chemical sensors for targeted species and
1
APEC Report # 201-MR-01.1, Asia Pacific Economic Programme, and Intergovernmental Oceanographic
Commission of UNESCO, Technical Series No. 59, Paris, France, 2001.
ETMAES-I/Doc. 3.1, p. 3
toxin detection; integrated observing systems and platforms for detection; diagnostic and
predictive modelling of ecosystems and harmful algal blooms, including data assimilation
techniques; observational needs for the public and government; and future directions for
research and operations. This anthology should inform the work of researchers and
environmental monitors as well as teachers and trainers concerned with understanding the
causes, predicting the occurrences and mitigating the effects of harmful algal blooms in marine
ecosystems.
5.
The Scientific Steering Committee for the IOC-SCOR science programme GEOHAB
(Global Ecology and Oceanography of Harmful Algal Blooms, www.geohab.info) wishes to
address the inclusion of, and approach to, observation systems for harmful algal events and
harmful algal occurrences in regional GOOS components.
6.
In some national or regional observing systems, HAB applications have been invoked as
a major justification for such observing systems. However, in most cases it appears that only
little of the observing infrastructure is specific to HABs. Clearly, information about temperature
and velocity is extraordinarily useful for HAB applications, but this information alone is not
enough for what is needed for qualified forecasts.
7.
The GEOHAB SSC wish to facilitate the IOC Member States in making measurements
that could help in understanding and forecasting HABs. The role of the GEOHAB could be to
recommend systems that are as close as possible to operational use. The best candidates at
the moment are ocean colour remote-sensing, fluorometers on ferries, etc. An inventory of
available technology will help here and the SSC is currently working on said information. In situ
flowcytomers (i.e., cytobuoy) and cell imaging systems (e.g., flowcam) are in transition to
become operational but still need few years of proofing. There are certainly other candidates
and this is an area that needs focus. Information exchange between the HAB and marine
observation community is very important to stay up-to-date with observing system developments
and to interact actively in development of operational systems for routine HAB observations.
8.
If data from an observation systems (plankton sampling, probes, RS, hydrography, wind,
etc.) indicate that plankton concentration or toxin levels get close to regulatory limits,
management action will be to ban the harvesting of shellfish, move fish cages, close beaches or
other actions. Models and forecasts can help by giving earlier and more qualified warnings so
management actions can be timed more appropriately. This will have major economic impact in
the sectors of society affected by harmful algal events, as there are always high costs associated
with closing of harvesting, disturbance of sales markets, etc.
9.
The IOC Intergovernmental Panel on Harmful Algal Blooms (IPHAB), during its Eighth
Session, from 17 to 20 April 2007, an agenda to discuss and adopt a more proactive strategy to
assist the IOC Member States in making measurements that could help in understanding and
forecasting HABs. The IPHAB has invited the GOOS RA’s for a dialogue in this respect, and
also welcome a dialogue with JCOMM on how this process can be accelerated through joint and
coordinated action.
_____________