NATIONAL ASSESSMENT of Harmful Algal Blooms in US Waters

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NATIONAL ASSESSMENT of Harmful Algal Blooms in US Waters The National Science and Technology Council President Clinton established the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) by Executive Order on November 23, 1993. This cabinet-level council is the principal means for the President to coordinate science, space, and technology policies across the federal government. The NSTC acts as a “virtual” agency for science and technology to coordinate the diverse parts of the federal research and development enterprise. The NSTC is chaired by the President. Membership consists of the Vice President, Assistant to the President for Science and Technology, cabinet secretaries and agency heads with significant science and technology responsibilities, and other White House officials. An important objective of the NSTC is to establish clear national goals for federal science and technology investments in areas ranging from information technologies, environment and natural resources, and health research, to improving transportation systems and strengthening fundamental research. The NSTC prepares research and development strategies that are coordinate across federal agencies to form an investment package that is aimed at accomplishing multiple national goals. To obtain additional information regarding the NSTC, contact the NSTC Executive Secretariat at 202-456-6100. The Committee on Environment and Natural Resources The Committee on Environment and Natural Resources (CENR) is one of five committees under the NSTC. It is charged with improving coordination among federal agencies involved in environmental and natural resources research and development, establishing a strong link between science and policy, and developing a federal environment and natural resources research and development strategy that responds to national and international issues. To obtain additional information regarding the CENR, contact the CENR executive secretariat at (202) 482-5916. Harmful Algal Blooms in US Waters NATIONAL ASSESSMENT of harmful algal blooms in US waters OCTOBER 2000 National Science and Technology Council Committee on Environment and Natural Resources Committee on Environment and Natural Resources D. James Baker, Co-Chair Terrance J. Flannery Paul Leonard National Oceanic and Central Intelligence Agency Department of Housing Atmospheric Administration and Urban Development George Frampton Rosina Bierbaum, Co-Chair Council on Environmental Quality Norine Noonan White House Office of Science U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Technology Policy Timothy Gerrity U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs Kenneth Olden Ghassem Asrar U.S. Department of Health National Aeronautics and Charles Groat and Human Services Space Administration U.S. Department of the Interior David Sandalow James Decker Len Hirsch U.S. Department of State U.S. Department of Energy Smithsonian Institution Wesley Warren Roland G. Droitsch Kathryn Jackson Office of Management and Budget U.S. Department of Labor Tennessee Valley Authority Michael Armstrong Albert Eisenberg Eileen Kennedy Federal Emergency Management U.S. Department of Transportation U.S. Department of Agriculture Agency Delores M. Etter Margaret Leinen Samuel Williamson U.S. Department of Defense National Science Foundation Office of the Federal Coordinator for Meteorology CENR Task Force on Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia Nancy Foster, Chair Lois Schiffer National Oceanic and Harold Guard Eric Lundstrom U.S. Department of Justice Atmospheric Administration U.S. Department of the National Aeronautics Navy and Space Administration Mark Anderson Mary Clutter Office of Science and National Science Founda- George Hoskin Daniel Sakura Technology Policy tion Food and Drug Council on Environmental Administration Quality Harold Zenick Michael Davis U.S. Environmental U.S. Department of Army Glenda Humiston Mark Schaefer Protection Agency U.S. Department of U.S. Department of Interior Allen Dearry Agriculture U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Coordinating Committee for the National Assessment on Harmful Algal Blooms Don Scavia, Chair Sherwood Hall Scott Siff National Oceanic and Food and Drug Administration U.S. Department of Justice Atmospheric Administration Howard Hankin Robert Menzer Robert McKenna U.S. Department of Agriculture U.S. Environmental Protection U.S. Department of Defense Agency Richard Miller Joan Cleveland National Aeronautics Dave Garrision Office of Naval Research and Space Administration National Science Foundation Allen Dearry Michael Mac White House Office of Science U.S. Department of Health U.S. Geological Survey and Technology Policy and Human Services Mark Anderson Harmful Algal Blooms in US Waters Acknowledgments Many scientists and managers from federal and state agencies and research institutions contributed to the knowledge base upon which this assessment depends. Production of this assessment report was managed by the National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science and the Office of the Senior Scientist of the National Ocean Service. Special thanks to Denise Yver of the National Ocean Service Special ProjectsOffice for cover design and overall design support and Emily Meyer for layout assistance. Primary Authors Danielle Luttenberg Kevin Sellner National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Donald Anderson Donna Turgeon Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Contributors Kay Austin John Heisler U.S. Environmental Protection Agency U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Lorraine Backer Doug Lipton Centers for Disease Control and Prevention University of Maryland JoAnn Burkholder Helen Schurz-Rogers North Carolina State University Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Gary Fahnenstiel Alison Sipe National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Science Foundation Judith Kleindinst Karen Steidinger Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Florida Marine Research Institute Sherwood Hall Richard Stumpf Food and Drug Administration National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Patricia Tester National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Harmful Algal Blooms in US Waters Harmful Algal Executive Summary Blooms in US waters Harmful algal blooms (HABs) are found in the waters searchers and managers are surveying more waterways of almost every US coastal state. Virtually every US for the presence of HAB species using more sensitive coastal state has experienced the environmental, human and accurate tools than ever before. Natural events may health, and economic impacts of HABs. HAB events also play a role in the expansion of HABs. Alexandrium, regularly threaten living marine resources, restrict local a HAB species which contaminates shellfish beds in the harvests of fish and shellfish, divert public funds to moni- Gulf of Maine almost annually, was introduced to those toring programs, burden medical facilities, and depress waters by a massive hurricane in 1972. Excess nutrients local recreational and service industries. Some HABs delivered to coastal waters may act as fertilizers and produce toxins and make their presence known as mas- stimulate populations of micro- and macroalgae to in- sive “blooms” of cells that are so dense and extensive crease to bloom proportions. The abundance of Pfiesteria that they discolor large areas of water, such as Florida’s piscicida, which has been found in tributaries with high toxic red tides. Still others can threaten human health levels of anthropogenic nutrients and organic matter, ap- and marine life even when they are not visible in the pears to be linked to nutrient loads. Blooms of Pseudo- water. The algae responsible for HABs are a very di- nitzschia in the Gulf of Mexico and California also ap- verse group of organisms. Some are single-celled pear to be stimulated by nutrients. This potentially toxic microalgae or phytoplankton, while others are large, leafy diatom is a dominant species in the nutrient-rich plume seaweed-like macroalgae. of the Mississippi River. Humans may have contributed by transporting toxic species to new areas in the ballast The Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and water of ships. Control Act (P.L. 105-383) calls for “an assessment which examines the ecological and alternatives for reducing, Impacts of HABs mitigating, and controlling harmful algal blooms, and HAB impacts include human illness and death from in- the social and economic costs and benefits of such alter- gesting toxins from contaminated seafood, mass mor- natives.” This report, A National Assessment of Harm- talities of wild and farmed fish, mortalities of marine ful Algal Blooms in US Waters, presents a synthesis of mammals, seabirds, and other protected species, and dis- current research and management expertise on the causes, turbances of marine food webs and ecosystems. Para- consequences, and current status of harmful algal blooms lytic, neurotoxic, and amnesic shellfish poisoning (PSP, (HABs) nationwide and presents alternatives and rec- NSP, and ASP) syndromes occur when humans ingest ommendations for addressing HABs and their impacts. fish and shellfish that have accumulated HAB toxins. This assessment was de- These syndromes have severe veloped by the Task Force Harmful algal blooms threaten effects, some of which are fa- on Harmful Bloom and human health and natural resources tal. Some HABs release toxins Hypoxia under the Na- throughout US coastal waters, from and other compounds into the tional Science and Tech- Alaska to the Gulf of Maine. water that can kill marine fauna. nology Council
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