The Northwest Fisheries Science Center (NWFSC) has been active in research
on marine biotoxins and harmful algal blooms (HABs) for over 50 years.
The Pacific region is unique, not only because of its size and the challenge
of monitoring thousands of miles of coastline, but because it is the
location of the some of the highest levels of biotoxins in the world
and the site of HAB incidents that have killed both marine mammals and
humans. Since 1991 the program has evolved into the Harmful Algal Bloom
Program that works cooperatively with other NOAA agencies, such as the
National Ocean Service (NOS), and provides information concerning HABs
and marine biotoxins to wide range of user groups. Specifically, the
team provides information and services to the public, state and federal
agencies, tribes, university, and others in the Eastarn Pacific region.
These pages provide the latest and best information about HABs and biotoxins
to people with a range of interests and expertise. Please visit the links
above to read more about our program.