HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOMS A survey of coastal residents showed that Pfiesteria outbreaks dramatically affect consumers' travel, reducing tourism by at least 40%. These results help management agencies develop rapid response plans for new outbreaks. More Sea Grant Impacts…

Themes Aquaculture Aquatic Invasive Species Biotechnology Coastal Communities & Economies Coastal Natural Hazards Digital Ocean Ecosystems & Habitats Fisheries Marine Aquatic Science Literacy Seafood Science & Technology Urban Coasts National Priority Areas Fisheries Extension Harmful Algal Blooms Oyster Disease Research

The Issue:
Harmful algal blooms (HABs) are found in the waters of almost every U.S. coastal state, and virtually every U.S. coastal state has experienced the environmental, human health, and economic impacts of them.

Sea Grant:
There is a Sea Grant program in every coastal state, and no program is better suited to address this problem than Sea Grant because it requires a breadth of scope that only Sea Grant can provide—research, education and outreach on all coasts; for all age groups; for government, private businesses, and private citizens; and on issues ranging from biology to economics to the physical sciences. Research alone will not solve this problem, yet we must develop a better arsenal of weapons than currently exists.