Phytoplankton blooms can sometimes turn poisonous and even deadly. When this occurs, they are called harmful algal blooms.
Harmful algal blooms (HABs) produce a toxin that, when concentrated in the tissues of filter-feeding bivalves like clams, oysters and mussels, can be fatal to anyone who eats a contaminated piece of shellfish. Seabirds, marine mammals and other wildlife can also be poisoned.
In Alaska, HABs may be becoming more common due to warming ocean temperatures, changes in rainfall and weather patterns, and other factors.
A group of Alaskans—including state officials, tribes, nonprofit organizations and researchers—have recently come together to try to build awareness around these marine toxins and the risks they pose. The goal is to keep Alaskans who collect and eat shellfish as safe as possible with up-to-date information.
Given Alaska’s sweeping coastline—nearly 34,000 miles—that’s a tall order. But members of the newly formed Alaska Harmful Algal Bloom Network hope that through information sharing and technology, they can make a dent. Alaska Sea Grant helped launch the HABs Network and maintains a leadership role.
Read a feature story on HABs in Alaska and the work of the Alaska HABs Network at bit.ly/2tatmn0
