Donald M. Anderson, Biology Department, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

Abstract

Managers faced with the negative impacts of harmful algal blooms typically minimize those impacts through routine monitoring programs, harvesting closures, or other related activities. These managers, as well as the general public, often ask the scientific community whether anything can be done to prevent or control HABs. This talk will address the current status of effort in various countries to prevent, control, or mitigate HABs and their impacts. Examples of several promising technologies will be highlighted, including those that directly target the bloom populations. Some of these, (such as clay flocculation of motile cells in the water column), are reasonably well advanced and are in use in the coastal waters of some countries. Other methods, such as the use of algicidal bacteria, show promise for bloom control, but are further from implementation. The latter concept provides a good example that will be used to stimulate discussion on the difficulties faced by scientists and managers who have an effective bloom control technology, but face significant obstacles in obtaining the environmental and public approvals needed to implement the strategy in natural waters. This talk will also highlight less controversial approaches to HAB prevention, control, and mitigation (PCM), such as large-scale nutrient reductions, bloom prediction, collection and disposal of dead fish, and even the creation of effective communication networks. A final topic for discussion will be the extent to which PCM activities are being included in funding programs, both nationally and internationally. Experience in the United States suggests that, though the topic is compelling and seems eminently practical, it has proven difficult to fund a PCM program or to involve a large number of scientists in research on the topic.