This symposium was designed to assess and synthesize the current scientific understanding of nutrient dynamics and their role in red tide events, specifically those caused by Karenia brevis in Florida waters.
Harmful Algal Blooms
Tackling Florida's Harmful Algal Blooms
Florida Sea Grant supports research and extension efforts to improve our understanding of harmful algal blooms and develop recommendations to minimize the impacts to Florida’s environment, public health, and economy.
Florida is known for its water resources. It boasts beaches and estuaries on both coasts, thousands of miles of rivers, lakes, and springs. The state’s vast salt and freshwater resources also support populations of bloom-forming algae. Most of these algae are beneficial and are the foundation of the aquatic food web. However, dozens of species can form algal blooms, the rapid and substantial increase in algal biomass. Some of these blooms can become harmful through the production of toxins or by causing other negative impacts to the environment and aquatic ecosystem. These blooms are called harmful algal blooms (HABs).
Mitigating the impacts of HABs is complex due to the diversity of species and aquatic systems, the various chemical, physical, and biological interactions within these systems, and human activities and interactions within our watersheds. Florida Sea Grant agents and researchers conduct science-based research and extension activities to educate stakeholders and guide decisions to mitigate the impacts of harmful algal blooms in the state’s waters.
State Resources for Monitoring & Reporting
The state of Florida has one of the country’s most robust monitoring and reporting programs for marine and freshwater HABs. Residents and visitors can use these resources to learn about the current status of HABs in Florida and be part of an informed citizenry:
- Learn more about algae blooms in Florida at https://myfwc.com/research/redtide/general/.
- View interactive Algal Bloom dashboard featuring information and real-time sampling updates for HABs in Florida.
- Report algal blooms to FDEP online or through a new toll-free number at 1-855-305-3903.
- To report fish that are either dead or in poor physical condition, residents should contact the Fish Kill Hotline 1-800-636-0511.
- People experiencing symptoms or illnesses should contact the Florida Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222.
Red tide visible along Sarasota’s coast during the summer of 2018. Ryan McGill
Harmful Algal Blooms
Programs
& Initiatives
HAB State of the Science
HAB State of the Science Florida Sea Grant has organized State of the Science Symposia for red tide and cyanobacteria in Florida since 2019. State of the Science summary reports highlight the current state of understanding, research and management priorities, and data gaps.
The second Florida Blue-Green Algae State of the Science Symposium provided Florida’s blue-green algae research and management community a valuable forum for networking, collaboration, and engagement.
The first HAB State of the Science symposium brought together harmful algal bloom (HAB) experts to discuss the current state of HAB research in Florida.
HAB Monitoring & Prediction
Remote sensing methods are increasingly being developed for HAB forecasting and monitoring. Working across the national Sea Grant network, this extension program uses a NOAA Sea Grant Liaison to provide a pipeline between new research generated by the federal partners and community audiences, while also relaying stakeholder needs back to NOAA to improve and expand HAB forecasting tools and products.
HAB Management
The diversity of HAB species and toxicity requires species specific testing of different algal treatment methods. This research program led by Florida Sea Grant affiliate faculty, addresses this need by evaluating treatment approaches across harmful algal species. Research also includes monitoring efforts and studies in systematics, toxins, ecology, and natural products. Complementing this work, an extension program identifies the algae present in Florida and provides best management practices for prevention, monitoring and control.
Economic Impacts
Florida’s coastal economies depend on the many tourism and marine dependent industries that rely on healthy water bodies. This research program works to quantify the socio economic impacts of HABs in Florida, while an extension program led by Florida Sea Grant faculty brings this information to coastal communities and decision makers.
Currently, information about red tide is misaligned and inconsistent, and that contributes to skewed public perception from a health and business perspective. Accurate and effective communication is essential to achieving the balance needed for public safety and to protect the local economy.”
Harmful Algal Blooms
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Faculty Experts
Looking for answers or resources on harmful algal blooms? Reach out to our faculty experts listed below.
Associate Professor of Regional Economics & Director, Economic Impact Analysis Program
