E.A. Black, Aquaculture Science Branch, Department of Fisheries and Oceans, 200 Kent Street, Ottawa Ontario

Abstract

Harmful algal blooms affect a wide variety of marine fisheries. These fisheries range from the capture of wild organisms, to the harvest of cultured organisms kept in captivity throughout their life cycle. Regardless, of the type of fishery the goal of harmful algal management and mitigation (HAMM) is to protect human health and economic activity.

Each of these fisheries may emphasize different subsets of knowledge to achieve these goals however, they all rely on an understanding of bloom ecology and effects as the basis of their application of knowledge. Aquaculture requires the broadest range of knowledge because it generally operates in all seasons and affects the cultured organism and its environment for the majority of its life cycle. As a result aquaculturists also have the greatest breadth of opportunity to manage and mitigate the effects of harmful algal blooms.

In the context of controlling risk of the negative effects of a bloom I propose an approach to organizing and using our information of HAMMs. This involves limiting the risk by examining farm siting, farm design and farm operation. Within each of these areas a number of options and approaches will be examined. Examples of application of the knowledge are included.