Harmful Algae News

No. 48 - April 2014 · www.ioc-unesco.org/hab An IOC Newsletter on Toxic Algae and Algal Blooms IOC/WESTPAC Scientists Develop ­Technical Guidelines for Ciguatera Studies

On 5-6 November 2013, an IOC/WEST- a strange odor or taste, and cooking rine Organisms, emphasizing the need PAC Training Workshop on Toxic Ma- does not inactivate the heat-stable for one regional standard method for rine Organisms was organized at the toxin. CFP studies. The two days workshop, University of Tokyo, Japan, with one of CFP is the most problematic algal with the contribution of invited Japa- its major objectives to develop regional poisoning syndrome, with reported nese experts on ciguatoxins and other technical guidelines on ciguatera stud- cases amounting to 20,000 – 30,000 per marine toxins, aimed to improve knowl- ies, drawing on experiences from Japan. year, but no effective management sys- edge on the present situation of CFP in (CFP or tem has been developed yet in the IOC/ Member States, and develop a regional Ciguatera) is a foodborne illness caused WESTPAC region. Despite the low num- technical guide on the collection of cigu- by eating certain reef contaminat- ber of reported cases of CFP in the re- atera poisonings data, including clarifi- ed with ciguatoxins andGambierdiscus. its analogues gion, scientists are concerned that there cation of clinical symptoms, identifica- originally produced by toxic dinoflag- must be many unreported cases in the tion of possible causative food, sample ellates of the genus region, and reports may increase in the collecting for screening for toxicity and Large reef-dwelling fish in tropical and near future, given that CFP occurs main- toxin identification. sub-tropical waters accumulate marine ly in tropical and subtropical coral area. Dao Viet Ha, Chair IOC/WESTPAC/TMO Project, Institute of Oceanography, Vietnam toxins by eating toxic algae growing on “We must provide scientifically reli- Email: [email protected] coral reefs, and are most likely to cause able information to prevent and reduce ciguatera poisoning. CFP is difficult to the impact of CFP” said Dr. Dao Viet Ha, prevent as ciguatoxic fish do not carry WESTPAC Project Leader on Toxic Ma-

Participants in the 3rd IOC/WESTPAC-TMO training workshop in Japan, 5-6 Nov. 2013. First report of an Ostreopsis ovata bloom on coast (W Adriatic) associated the western coast of (Tyrrhenian Sea) in the 1980s [10]. In the last dec- with human respiratory intoxication ade, massive blooms of this species have become more frequent, above all in the Tyrrhenian and Ligurian Seas, Os- causing death of benthic organisms Attreopsis the endovata of August 2013, the first treopsidaceae: cells are narrow, ovate and human health problems such as bloom of the benthic in dorso-ventral view with biconvex, respiratory difficulties and skin irrita- occurred on the coast drop-shaped theca, scattered pores and tion [11]. Over the last decade, people of “Trabocchi”, Chieti Province, in the eight sulcal plates [3]. The life cycle in- swimming or exposed to marine aero- Abruzzo Region, Western . cludes a resting stage, probably a hyp- sols along the Tyrrhenian and Adriatic The bloom formed a brown mat nozygote [4]. This species is occasion- coasts of the Mediterranean Sea have covering natural and artificial rocks, ally planktonic but generally benthic on reported a range of symptoms (rhinor- thalli,O. and ovata mollusc shells, and macroalgae, rocks, sediment or detritus rhoea, bronchoconstriction,O. ovata coughing, persisted for about 1 month. By the end aggregates, and forms a mucilaginous fever, dermatitis) associated with high of September, was only found matrixOstreopsis within ovata which the solitary cells densities of . In the early 2000s, sporadically. This species was first re- can move [5]. the most important inhalation intoxi- ported on the Abruzzo coast in summer O. ovata produces palytoxin- cations were observed in Italy in 2001 2008 [1]. Since then, it has been quite like (PTX) compounds [6]. Blooms of [12] and in 2005 [13], and in Spain in abundant every year, but it had not pre- can cause hypoxia, anoxia and 2004 and 2006 [14], affecting more viously formed a bloom nor raised con- benthic kills by forming than 200 personsOstreopsis each time (swim- cerns. Here we describe the first Ostreevent- mucilaginous layers hosting thousands mers, beach goers, local residents). opsiswith human intoxications and mussels/ of cells covering both biotic and abiotic Since then, blooms has been octopus mortality relatedOstreopsis to an substrates [7]. In addition, formation of detected in several northern and south- bloom in Abruzzo coastal wa- toxic aerosolsOstreopsis by wave action can pro- ern Mediterranean countries [15]. ters. The distribution of was duce asthma-like symptoms. In temper- The Trabocchi coast is characterizedO. ovata mostly observed at three rocky beaches, ate zones, blooms are asso- by shallow rocky coves with pebbly bot- where several cases of human intoxica- ciated with intoxication by inhalation toms. The appearance of the tionOstreopsis were recorded, from late August to [8], skin irritation by contact, and mass bloom led to intense sampling; it was mid-September 2013. mortalities of . Intoxica- mostly present off three rocky beaches, species are benthic tion by ingestion has not been reported, , Fuggitella and Fos- generally recorded in even when PTX and/or analogs have sacesia (Fig.1). Sampling was carried tropical and subtropical seas, but the ­alreadyO. ovata been found in seafood by chem- out from 29th August to 13th Septem- worldwide records of this genus have ical or toxicological analysis [9]. ber when respiratory problems were Ostreopsisincreased markedly in the last decade has been recorded in the reported and poisoning occurred. The and this trend is likely to continue [2]. Mediterranean since the 1970s on water column and different substrates belongs to the family Os- French coasts. It was first detected on were sampled for and chemical-physical analysis. Samples of macrophytes (15-25 gr fresh weight) were collected from depths between 0.5 and 1.5 m, placed in plastic bottles with filtered seawater and kept in the dark. A surface water sample was im- mediately fixed with Lugol’s solution to estimate the abundance of epiphytic

dinoflagellates-1 in the water column (in cells L ). Macrophyte samples were shaken for more than one minute to de- tach epiphytic cells. The material was then passed through 250 and 100 μm mesh sieves to remove large particles, and was fixed with Lugol’s solution.

Epiphytic-1 abundance was expressed in cells gr fresh weight of macrophyte (fwm). The fixed material was settled in 2–10 ml chambers for the appropriate time according to Utermöhl’s method. Fig. 1. Trabocchi coast (Adriatic Sea – Abruzzo Region) and location of sampling sites The highest water column concenOstre- trations coincided with maximum epi- phytic abundance.HARMFUL The ALGAE highest NEWS NO. 48 / 2014 2 Fig. 2. Towns affected by bloom where beaches were closed for bathing: (a) Rocca San Giovanni and (b) . The brown biofilm of the epiphytic : c) on rocks and d) inside flask. Light microscopy photographs of bloom: e) and f) field samples with high cell counts, 50x magnification,O. scale ovata bar = 100 µm and 400x magnification, scale bar = 50 µm respectively. g) Scanning electron micrographs of from isolatedO. ovata strain: epithecal view with pore plate (Po) short and straight (arrows),O. scale ovata bar = 5 µm. h) LM epifluorescence of : epithecal view with plates Po and 1’, 1000x magni­fication, scale bar = 10 µm. O. ovata O. ovata opsis 6. Ciminiello P et al 2006. Anal Chem 78: 6153–6159 concentration5 -1 recorded reached4 cal media (newspapers and television). 7. Congestri R et al 2006. Harmful Algal News 32: 11–12 5.28 x -110 cells g fwm and 9.21 x 10 A week later after a weak gale, sam- cells L in the water column on 6th pling on September 13th at Fossacesia 8. Gallitelli M et al 2005. JAMA 293: 2599– O. ovata O. ovata 2600 September 2013 at Fossacesia during revealed the highest concentration of 4 9. Aligizaki K et al 2008. Toxicon 51: the bloom maximum, with 25 -1 . There were then 8.35 x 10 418–427 °C water temperature,-1 34.3 psu salinity cells 3g fwm-1 on macrophytes and 7.28 10. Lenzi Grillini C & Lazzara L 1980. Giorn Bot It 114: 199–215 and 6.7 mg L dissolved oxygenO. (106% ovata x 10 cells L in the water column, 24 saturation). °C water temperature, 33.3 psu salinity 11. Bianco I et al 2006. Biol Mar Medit 13: -1 Ostreopsis ovata 947–950 During the period of the and 7.0 mg L dissolved oxygen (108% 12. Casavola N et al 2005. Rapporti ISTISAN bloom, there was strong coloration of saturation). Thus con- 05/29: 92-97 the water and a prominent biofilm on centrations had greatly decreased; but 13. Brescianini C et al 2006. Eurosurveil- rocks. The water had a strange smell the number of degraded cells increased. lance 11: 3040 like eggs, and dead mussels and octo- The water was still smelly and slightly 14. Vila M et al 2008. Proc 12th Intern Conf on Harmful Algae, pp. 334-336 pus were also noticed during the bloom. brownish and nutrient concentrations 15. Totti C et al 2010. Harmful Algae 9: 233- Thirty two cases of human intoxication almostReferences unchanged. 239. occurred, ten of whom required medical 1. Ingarao C et al 2009. Harmful Algal assistance. Symptoms included severe News 39: 4-5 Authors pain in the trachea, nausea, breathing 2. Rhodes L 2011. Toxicon 57 (3): 400–407 Cristina Ingarao C & Tommaso Pagliani, Environmental Science Centre, Fondazione problems, vomiting and fever. The may- 3. Tomas CR 1997. Identifying marine ­phytoplankton (Academic Press) Mario Negri Sud, Via Nazionale 8/A – 66030, ors of the affected towns subsequently 4. Barone R 2007. Harmful Algal News 33: Santa Maria Imbaro - (CH) - Italy prohibited bathing on beaches from 1–3 Rocca San Giovanni to Fossacesia. Since 5. Faust MA et al 2002. Smithsonian Institu- Email corresponding author: it was the first human poisoning event tion 42: 1–144 [email protected] due to a toxic on the Abru- zzoHARMFUL coast, ALGAE NEWS there NO. 48was / 2014 much fanfare in lo- 3 Germinating cysts of from marine sediments added to petri dishes (3 replicates for each site) containing modified HESNW of British Columbia, Canada medium [6] − i.e. without added silicate and organic phosphates partially sub- Heterosigma akashiwo stituted with inorganic phosphates. The cultures were incubated at 18 °C under

(Hada) Hada ex Sampling was done on February continuous-2 -1 illumination (20 µmol pho- Hara et Chihara is one of the most nox- 28 (Baynes Sound), April 10 (Quatsino tons m s provided by full-spectrum ious algae causing harmful algal blooms Sound), and April 18 (Okeover Inlet), fluorescent lamps). Petri dishes were (HABs) worldwide and has been the 2013 using van Veen and Ekman grab scanned twice a week at 10 – 60X mag- principal fish killer of farmed samplers (Fig. 2). Sediment samples (3 nification using an inverted microscope. in British Columbia (BC) since the late – 5 L) were taken from depths of 5 – 45 Samples were refreshed with additional 1980s; in 1997 alone the cumulative m with sites within areas being located media approximately weekly. loss to the H.BC akashiwoaquaculture industry ex- at least 250 m apart. Sites were chosen One to 2 days after the start of the ceeded CAD 10 million due to extensive based on the assumption that cysts ac- experiments, cells began to ap- blooms of [1]. During the cumulate in the same areas as silt and pear in the petri dishes. After 1 week, period from 1999 to the present, BC’s clay [5]. The top 3 cm of sediments in all dishes had noticeableSkeletonema coloration Harmful Algae Monitoring Program the grab samples were collected, mixed costatum,with variousThalassiosira diatom species present,Chae- (HAMP)H. akashiwo has observed a continuous se- well, placed in re-sealable plastic bags, thetoceros most abundant being ries of losses of cultured salmon due to and immediately stored in a cool, dark spp., and

and in 2009 – 2012 direct place until delivered to the DFO labo- spp. In all replicates, -1 economic losses of BC-farmed salmon ratory in Nanaimo. Samples were kept reached H.several akashiwo thousand cells mL in H.due akashiwo to HABs totaled more than CAD 16 in the dark at 4 °C until germination 2 – 7 days. After a week, in many rep- million (HAMP, unpublished data), with experiments were conducted. All 16 licates, cells were seen,

causing the majority of sediment samples were used for 2 sets sometimes in concentrations-1 up to these losses. of experiments: germination under several hundred cellsH. mL akashiwo. Within 2 To improve local knowledge of regular laboratory conditions with (1) weeks, most of the petri dishes had at HABs, in 2012 a 2-year collaborative culture medium only and (2) culture least several cells of and research project with Fisheries and medium with addition of a chemical to in some samplesH. akashiwo dinoflagellate cells Oceans Canada (DFO), the aquacul- suppress diatom growth. also began to appear. After 3 weeks, all ture industry, and the HAMP was initi- The first germination experiments replicates had -1 cells, from ated; one of the primary goals was the were started 1 – 4 days after collection a few cells-1 mL to several thousand isolation and culture of harmful algae dates (i.e. March 1 for Baynes Sound, cellsH. ­mL akashiwo. Some samples from Quatsino species collected from local finfish and April 12 for Quatsino Sound, and April Sound had thick surface accumulations shellfish aquaculture sites. Two sources 22 for Okeover Inlet). A small portion of of – termed “rafts”. The were examined for species isolation: (1) the collected sediments was sieved to sample with the thickest raftsH. wasakashiwo from live bloom samples from farm sites and produce a 20 – 120 µm fraction, and ~ Kultus Cove (Quatsino Sound), which is (2) sediments collected from sites with 1 – 2 mL of the sieved sediments were known to be a hot-spot for past observed HABs, as some harmful algae produce cysts that play an im- portant role in initiating subsequent blooms [2]. Here we discuss the results of harmful algal isolation from sedi- ment samples. In late winter and spring 2013, sedi- ment samples were taken from 16 sites in 3 areas around Vancouver Island, BC (one sample from each of 4 sites in Baynes Sound, 4 sites in Okeover Inlet, and 8 sites in Quatsino Sound) (Fig. 1). •Target Alexandrium species for isolation and germi- nation were: spp. – which cause Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP). Numerous PSP closures in summer • H.2012 akashiwo were recordedChattonella in Baynes Sound and Okeover Inlet [3]; and sp. – Fig. 1. Map showing sampling areas. which caused fish mortalities in late summer 2012 in Quatsino Sound [4]. HARMFUL ALGAE NEWS NO. 48 / 2014 4 H. akashiwo

illumination, germinated in 1 – 3 weeks. Germanium dioxide stock solution added toH. mediaakashiwo inhibited dia- tom growth, allowing easy germination and isolation of from sedi- ment samplesH. akashiwo containing cysts. This technique makes it possible to obtain cultures of from various lo- cations even when vegetative cells are Acknowledgmentsnot present in the water column.

This project was supported by the Aquaculture Collaborative Research and Development Program of Fisher- ies and Oceans Canada and the British Columbia aquaculture industry. Warm- est thanks to the crew of the Deep Bay Marine Station – Brian Kingzett and Sarah Leduc as well as various volun- teers who made sediment sampling in Baynes Sound possible and enjoyable. Yves Perreault of Little Wing Ltd. and Dave Guhl of Marine Harvest Canada Inc. are acknowledged for help- ing with sediment sampling at Okeover Inlet and Quatsino Sound, respectively. Fig. 2. Sediment sampling at Quatsino Sound on April 10, 2013. References 1. Whyte JNC et al 1999. Martin J & Haya K. (Eds), Pro. Sixth Canadian Workshop on Harmful Marine Algae, Can. Tech. Rep. blooms [N. Haigh, unpublished obser- and added to 3 replicate petri dishes Fish. Aquat. Sci. 2261: 1-9 2. Anderson DM et al 2003. Cyst method- vations]. Some of these rafts were then with media (which included ~ 0.5 – 1 ologies. In: Manual on Harmful Marine used for serial dilution attempts to ob- mL (in each petri dish) of prepared Microalgae (IOC-UNESCO), 165-189 2 tain pure cultures [7]. Serial dilution stockH. akashiwo solution of 2 mg GeO in 100 mL 3. DFO 2012 - http://www.pac.dfo-mpo. was performed in a laminar flow hood of MilliQ water [9]). After several days, gc.ca/fm-gp/contamination/biotox/ using a micropipette and sterile 24-well cells were found in some index-eng.html H. akashi- 4. HAMP, unpublished plates. This method involves dispensing woreplicates and in about 2 weeks all sam- 5. Wall D & Dale B 1967. Review of Palaeo- and subsequent dilution of the sample ples had at least a few cells of botany and Palynology 2: 349-354 in media in well plates where, with each H. akashiwo. In 2 – 3 weeks, many replicates had 6. Harrison PJ et al 1980. Journal of Phycol- transfer, the concentration of the cells thick rafts, providing good material for ogy 16: 28-35 in the sample is decreased by a factor serial dilution. In 2 weeks, 7. Guillard RRL 1995. Culture methods. In: Alexandrium Alexandrium IOC Manuals and Guides 33 (IOC-UNE- of 10. After a further 2 weeks, cells of samples from all 4 sites in Okeover Inlet SCO), 46-62 spp. started to appear in had a few cells and other 8. Lewin J 1966. Phycologia 6: 1-12 Okeover samples, although these spe- dinoflagellates present. Only a few dia- 9. http://www.marine.csiro.au/microalgae/ cies never reached concentrations that tom cells were seen in some replicates methods would have made isolation practical. (mostly from the Okeover area); dia- Authors After about 6 weeks, a mixture of other tom growth was greatly inhibited and Svetlana Esenkulova & Nicola Haigh, Harm- small dominated all petri concentrations-1 never reached 100 cells ful Algae Monitoring Program, Vancouver dish replicates: the experiment ended mL . Samples with suppressed diatom Island University, 900 Fifth Street, Nanaimo, British Columbia, V9S 5S5, Canada. after ~8 weeks. growth wereH. akashiwo better suitedAlexandrium for cell iso- The second set of germination ex- lation and in this way several pure cul- Laurie J. Keddy & Christopher M. Pearce periments was set up at the beginning tures of and Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Pacific of June, 3 – 4 months after collection spp.Conclusions were successfully established. Biological Station, 3190 Hammond Bay dates. The same germination method Road, Nanaimo, British Columbia, V9T 6N7, (as described above) was used but with Canada the addition of germanium dioxide to All 16 surface sedimentH. akashiwo samples col- E-mail: [email protected] the culture medium to suppress dia- lected in 3 areas around Vancouver Is- tom growth [8]. Sediments stored in the land produced viable upon darkHARMFUL atALGAE 4 NEWS °C NO. were 48 / 2014 processed as above incubation. At 18 °C, under continuous 5 analyses with a receptor ­ binding assay (RBA) suggest PSP the coastline and 17 dead sea turtles were reported from El Salamar and ­intoxication of sea turtles in El Salvador Las Tunas beaches on the eastern end of the country; later in OctoberAlexandrium 2010 a peruvianum/ostenfeldiinew report of 12 dead turtles was as- sociated with a bloom of cf in Los Cóbanos beach. In May 2011, a Receptor Binding Assay (RBA) was applied for the first time to test the presence of STX and its analogues (STXs) in samples from dead specimens but no toxins were detected in that occasion (unpubl. data). Since 2009 the Laboratory of Marine Tox- ins from the University of El Salvador (LABTOX-UES) carries out a monitor- ing of potentiallyCrassostrea toxic phytoplankton. iridiscens In addition,Plicopurpura PSP toxin analysescolumellaris (by RBA) inCarcinus oysters (maenas ), sea snails ( ), Fig. 1. Locations on El Salvador coasts where stranded sea turtles were found, mainly on Modiolus capax San Diego (13°28’16.03”N, 89°15’49.01”W), El Amatal (13°27’37.00”N, 89°14’16.00”W) crabs ( ) and mussels and Toluca (13°27’47.53”N, 89°14’0.92”W) beaches, October 2013. ( ) have been performed routinely since 2011 [4]. Between late September and early October 2013 there was a mortality of Great efforts are invested on the East- 3 human deaths, 206 dead sea turtles 201 turtles (information from the Min- ern Tropical Pacific coast to protect were reported. Liquid chromatography istry of Environment and Natural Re- sea turtles, evaluate their populations, (HPLC) analyses revealed Lepidochelis concentra- sources). Dead specimens were found and identify threats to their survival. tions of saxitoxin of 27.9-627.8 μg STX mainly on beaches in the department of olivacea -1 Chelonia mydas Toxic HABs represent a major threat to eq ·100g in brain tissue of La Libertad [5] (Fig.1). turtles, and have been associated with and Pyrodinium [2]. baha- Following the sea turtle mortal- mortalities.Chelonia The mainmydas species found in mensePSP eventscompressum in El Salvador are associ- ity in 2013, experts from LABTOX-UES coastalEretmochelys waters of imbricata El Salvador are the ated with blooms of in cooperation with officials from the green (Lepidochelys olivacea), the hawks- var [3]. In Novem- Centre for Development of Fisheries bill ( Dermochelys coriacea), the olive ber 2009 brownish red patches were and Aquaculture (CENDEPESCA) col- ridley ( ) and the observed 46 nm off the coast between lected water samples for qualitative leatherback ( ) sea Bahía de Jiquilisco and AcajutlaP. andbaha 5- (20-μm hauls) and quantita- turtles [1]. mensedead turtlescompressum were reported in the area. tive (10-L ­Niskin bottles, Sedgewick There are records of dead sea tur- This event was associated with Rafter counting chambers) analyses of tles on El Salvador beaches. During a cf (unpubl. data). phytoplankton (Carl Zeiss, Axio Imager PSP outbreak in 2005, which included In May 2010, intense patches reached M1 and ­Axiovert 40CFL microscopes

Fig. 2. MODIS-Aqua MODIS satellite CHLOR_A images 2013.09.08 from dates before, during MODIS-Aqua and after the CHLOR_A report of 2013.10.27 sea turtle mortality in El MODIS-Aqua Salvador. CHLOR_A 2013.11.11

HARMFUL ALGAE NEWS NO. 48 / 2014

6 Table1. Phytoplankton cell densities in water samples collected from El Salvador beaches during the sea turtle mortality, October 2013. gest that offshore toxic phytoplankton, eaten by herbivorous was transmitted to the sea turtles through medusae acting as vectors of the toxins Acknowledgementsand caused their death.

To IAEA for its valuable support to set up the LABTOX-UES laboratory. To the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources MARN and the Centre for Development of Fisheries and Aquacul- ture CENDEPESCA for their support in respectively). MODIS satellite images tion of toxin in extracts of samples is monitoring harmful algal blooms. (Chl a fluorescence) from dates before determined in reference to the standard and during the mortality are shown in curve [6]. References Fig. 2. SamplesChelonia of stomach, mydas intestines,Lepy- The most abundant potentialGymnodinium pro- 1. Inter-American Convention for the Pro- liverdochelis and olivacea kidneys were taken from 16 ducercatenatum of PSP toxins found in the phy- tection and Conservation of Sea Turtles specimens of and toplankton samples was 2012. Report CIT-CC8-2011-Tec.1, 27 pp Crassostrea iridiscens -1 , as well as from oys- (5400 cells L ) (Table 1). (PDF) 2. Licea et al 2008. In: Moestrup et al (eds), ters ( ) and kept at Analyses of STXs in liver, intestine and Proc 12th Intern Conf Harmful Algae – 80 °C until analysis. Analyses of STXs stomach tissue samples from the dead (IOC, UNESCO), pp 86-89 3. Guardado et al 2011. Revista El Salvador were carried out by RBA, a competitive sea turtles showed levels ranging-1 from receptor binding assay in which the 116.11 to 478.28 μg STX eq. 100g (Fig Ciencia y Tecnología 16: 26-32 radio-labelled [3H]STX competes with 3). Toxin levels in oysters (58.33 μg STX 4. Amaya O et al 2012. Harmful Algae News -1 45: 15 unlabelled STXs for the sodium chan- eq. 100g ) were below the-1 regulatory 5. Moran, G. 2013. Diario Digital Contra nel sites present in a crude membrane level (80 μg STX eq. 100g ). Punto. Octubre 22 (PDF) preparation of rat brain. When the bind- Stranded vertebrates are not seen 6. Van Dolah et al 2012. Journal AOAC ing equilibrium is reached, free [3H] very common on El Salvador coasts, so International 95: 795-812 toxins are removed by filtration and we assume that sea turtles were mem- collected receptor-bound [3H]toxins bers of the fauna most affected by the Authors Oscar Amaya, Gerardo Ruiz, Jaime Espinoza are quantified with a liquid scintillation toxic outbreak. The low densities of po- & Wilfredo Rivera, Marine Toxins Laboratory counter with microtiter plate format tentially toxic phytoplankton found in (LABTOXUES), Faculty of Natural Sciences MicroBeta trilux1450 LC. The reduction inshore samples and of toxins in oysters and Mathematics, University of El Salvador, in [3H]toxin binding is directly propor- (below regulatory levels) would not University City, 25 North End Ave., San Salva- tional to the amount of unlabelled toxin justify the levels of STX found in the tur- dor, El Salvador present. A standard curve is generated tles. But we know that medusae, which Email: [email protected] using increasing concentrations of un- are carnivorous megazooplankters, are labeled toxin standard; the concentra- part of the diet of some turtles. We sug-

Fig. 3. Left, saxitoxin levels found in sea turtles and oysters from El Salvador applying the RBA (red line indicates the regulatory level); Right, distribution of STXs found in different sea turtle tissues.

HARMFUL ALGAE NEWS NO. 48 / 2014

7 Fish die-offs along southern coast Pyrodinium ba- of Baja California hamenseoffs were detected in either event. More recently, two varieties of Chatonella were reported at the southern end of Baja California. This region is an Many algal blooms are innocuous to sp. provoked Prorocentrum mortality of important area for fisheries [6]. A fish marine fauna or increase productivity minimumbenthic fish & fan corals at Cabo San mortality occurred on 16–21 June 2011 of coastal zones. Harmful algal blooms Lucas [4]. A bloom of in the Los Cabos region (Fig. 2), first re- Ostreopsis siamensis 6 –1 (HABs) can cause negative impacts on L (2.4–3.0 × 10 cells L 6) and ported by the organization “Red para la other or¬ganisms via production of (0.2–0.4 × 10 cells Protección de la Tortuga Marina” (Red- –1 Noc- toxins, by mechanical damage, or by tiluca) occurred scintillans on April 2002 in the Los protormar, Marine Turtle Protection other means [1]. Although HABs are Cabos area [3]. A small bloom of Network) at El Zacatito, and extending common along the coasts of the Baja Noctiluca were observed at Los northwards to Playa San Luis. To the California [2], fewPseudonitzschia events have been Barriles on 24 MarchGymnodinium 2007. Densities catenatum of south, fish mortality was reported at reported along its southern coast [3, 4, 3 at –1Los Barriles were 250–950 the Hotel Sheraton. The largest die-offs 5]. A bloom of sp. oc- × 10 cells L . 3 occurred at La Fortuna (23°09′0.54″N, curred from December 1995 to Janu- also occurred–1 at densities of 98 × 10 109°29′ 39.54″W). Recently, The Pro- ary 1996 at Cabo San Lucas. More than cells L (this report). Another smelly curaduría Federal de Protection al 150 brown pelicans died [4]. In March bloom occurred on 8 March 2007 at Los Ambiente (PROFEPA) and the Direc- 1996, a bloom of and Frailes (Fig. 1). No marine faunal die- ción de Ecología of Los Cabos men- tioned died-offs observed at La Playita (23°3′38.98″N, 109°40′7.47″W), and later at Punta Gorda (23°05′00.46″N, 109°34′33.70″W) and La Fortuna (23°09′00.54″N, 109°29′39.54″W). Approximately 20 km of beaches were heavily affected (http://www.youtube. com/watch?v=Yk4o5NRt6ac).Hemanthias signifer The most abundant fish on the beaches Acan were- damselthurus bass ( ; Fig. 3a) and yellowtail Scarus surgeonfish compressus ( sp.; Fig. 3b). Less abundantKypho were- susazure analogus parrotfish ( ; Fig. 3c), blue-bronzeSemicossyphus sea chub pulcher ( ; Fig. 3d), and California sheephead ( ; Fig. 4). This is the worst fish die-off Fig. 1. Smelly bloom in Bahía de Los Frailes. recorded on this coast. Fish wereBeroe not ovataeaten by sea birds, crabs, or other ma- rine fauna. Many ctenophores ( cf ) accumulated near the beaches. Ctenophore swarms have not been re- ported previously in these waters. The die-offs were probably related to the presence of patches reported by fishermen during this event; how- ever, no bloom samples were taken. Die-offs of pelicans occurred shortly before and after the fish die-offs. Phyto- plankton samples were collectedChaetoc on 25- erosJune 2011 inThalassionema the affected area. nitzschioides, The most Thalassiosiracommon microalgae were spp., Pseudonitzschia Myrionecta rubra sp., and at least three species of . The ciliate Coolia monotis, Dinophysis was also found. acuminata, Toxic Fig. 2. Fish die-offs dinoflagellates in the samples included occurred along the D. caudata, D. fortii, Ostreopsis heptago- shore of Los Cabos na, Prorocentrum gracile, Prorocentrum Region (red area). micans, Prorocentrum minium

and HARMFUL ALGAE NEWS NO. .48 Per / 2014- 8 Fig. 3. Fish die-off on 16–21 June 2011 at La Playita and the Hotel Hilton beach on the Los Cabos.

References 1. Gárate-Lizárraga I et al 2006. Rev Invest sistent cold winds from the south pro- uted to pollution of coastal waters. Fish Mar 27: 31–39 duced cooler currents, water tempera- catches of commercial importance were 2. Gárate-Lizárraga I et al 2011. Harmful ture dropped from 24.5 to 18 °C along prohibited while the toxicity in fish was Algae News 44: 6–7 3. Gárate-Lizárraga I et al 2007. In: Estu- much of the Southern Baja coast (Eric detected (Mario García Isais). After this dios Ecológicos en Bahía Magdalena. Brictson, pers. comm.). Health authori- die-off, a training workshop on red tides Funes-Rodríguez R et al (eds). Comité ties responded rapidly and no human was organized in Cabo San Lucas. Moni- Editorial IPN, pp. 145–175. intoxications were recorded. Accord- toring of red tide-producing species, 4. Ochoa JL et al 1997. Hydrobiologia 352: ing to a local authority (Pablo César particularly toxic species, is ongoing 195–200 5. Núñez-Vázquez EJ et al 2011. J Environ Támez ), ~50 t of fish were removed along the coast of the Los Cabos region. Biol 32: 413–423 from beaches over two weeks [7]. Fish This project was funded by Instituto 6. Gárate-Lizárraga I & González-Armas R markets and seafood restaurants were Politécnico Nacional Project (Grants 2011. Mar Poll Bull 62: 626–630 monitored by the Comisión Estatal para SIP-20100985, SIP-20100192, and SIP- 7. Montero-Becerril P 2011. La Tribuna de la Protección de Riesgos Sanitarios [8]. 20100870). Thanks to José de La Cruz- Los Cabos (Newspaper) 27/06/2011 8. de la Toba G & Mora Rojo Á 2011. La The mass die-offs caused by these HABs Aguero for fish identification. Tribuna de Los Cabos (Newspaper) resulted in economic loss and contrib- 22/06/2011

Authors Ismael Gárate-Lizárraga & Rogelio González- Armas. Laboratorio de Fitoplancton. Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas (CICIMAR-IPN), Apdo. Postal 592, La Paz, B.C.S. 23000, Mexico

Graciela Tiburcio Pintos, Carmela Sánchez- García, Gabriel Olvera-Guevara. Coordi- nadora del Programa para Protección de Tortugas Marinas del H. X Ayuntamiento de Los Cabos, Los Cabos, B.C.S.,Mexico

Paula Montero Becerril. La Tribuna de Los Cabos, Boulevard Mauricio Castro s/n, Col. Chula Vista, B.C.S., Mexico

Email: [email protected]

Fig. 4. Male sheephead ( ) stranded on beach near Los Cabos.

HARMFUL ALGAE NEWS NO. 48 / 2014Semicossyphus pulcher

9 Pseudo-nitzschia australis blooms are not always toxic outbreaks have been reported almost every year in northwest Iberia [8], in- cluding the coast of Portugal [9]. The long retention time of DA in pectinids and its impact on the scallop industry in Galicia and Scotland led to implemen- tation of specific regulations (Commis- sion Decision 2002/226/EC) to control DA in pectinids in the EuropeanPseudo-nitzschia Union [10]. HABIT- PontevedraA dense 2007 bloom of spp. was recorded during the Pseudo-nitzschia survey carried out in Ría de Pontevedra, from 28 May to 7 June 2007 [11]. spe- cies were identified following Hasle [12]. Particulate DA concentrations were analyzed by liquid chromatogra- phy-multiple tandem mass spectrom- etry (LC-MS) according to Furey et al. [13]. Weekly monitoring results Pseu from- do-nitzschiaINTECMAR during the cruise period Fig. 1. Maps showing A) Iberian Peninsula; B) Galician Rias Baixas and C) Study area also reported the occurrence 6of a -1 in Ría de Pontevedra. spp. bloom (> 10 cells L ) that reached its annual maxima on 28 Pseudo- May 2007 [14]. Pseu- nitzschia do-nitszchiaResults from seriata the cruise showed that Diatom species of the genus lived events leading to mussel harvest- the bloomP. formedaustralis a thin layer of H. Peragallo are regular com- ing bans of one to a few weeks duration. group spp., domi- ponents of the microphytoplankton Nevertheless,Pecten they maximus, represent P. jacobeus a serious nated by at 14 m depth, as- assemblages in the Galician Rías (NW threat to sustainable exploitation of sociated with markedP. density australis gradients Spain). Twelve species of this genus pectinids ( P. maximus). in the water column (Fig. 2). Despite have been confirmed as producers of These species have slow-1 depuration the predominance of (Fig. 3), domoic acid (DA) [1, 2], a neurotoxin rates for DA (0.007 day in ) DA was not found (detection level 0.02 Pseudo-nitzschia-1 which causesPseudo-nitzschia Amnesic Shellfish Poi- [7] and may need months or even years µg DA mL ) in any of the samples with soning (ASP). Eight potentially toxic to eliminate toxins. high densities. Nor species of have been Since the first event reported in the were shellfish harvesting bans imple- reported so far in Galician coastal wa- Galician Rías in autumn 1994 [4], ASP mented by the Galician authorities due ters [3]. But the occurrence of domoic to the occurrence of ASP toxins in mus- acid in shellfish above regulatory levels sels during the cruise period.Pseudo-nitzschia (ASP outbreaks) in thisPseudo-nitzschia area has mainly It is well known from laboratory been associated with high concentra- cultures of toxigenic australis 5 -1 tions (> 10 cell L ) of species that large differences in cellular Frenguelli [3, 4]. Phytoplank- toxin content can be observed during ton succession in the Galician Rías population growth, with the maximum [5] isPseudo-nitzschia closely related to the seasonal per cell usually found during the late (March to October) upwelling pattern exponentialPseudo-nitzschia or stationary phase [2]. [6]; species appear at It could be argued here that the toxin an intermediate stage in the upwelling- content of was below downwelling cycles (late spring-sum- detection limits during the cruise and mer), following large centric diatoms increased later in the season. But there [5]. Since June 1992, the Technological were no mussel harvesting bans in Gali- Institute for the Control of the Marine cia due to ASP for the whole of 2007 Environment in Galicia (INTECMAR) (www.intecmar.org). This can onlyP. carriesPseudo-nitzschia out a weekly monitoring of po- Fig. 2. Vertical distribution of temperature australis.be explained by the existence of very tentially toxic phytoplankton (includ- (blue), salinity (red), chl-a fluorescence weakly toxic or non-toxic strains of ing spp.) and phyco- (green) and group cells density (blue bars) recorded during the Pseudo-nitzschia toxins, according to EU Directives, on survey on 28Pseudo-nitzschia May 2007. seriata Our results P. showaustralis the occurrence Galician coasts (Fig. 1). ASP outbreaks of a non-toxic bloom, in the region have proven to be short- dominated by HARMFUL ALGAE, theNEWS NO. species 48 / 2014 10 Pseudo-nitzschia 7. Blanco J et al. 2002. Aquat Toxicol 60: 111-121 commonly associated with ASP on the with identification of 8. Moroño A et al. 1999. In: VI Reunion Iberoamerica sobre Fitoplancton Tóxico Atlantic coast of Iberia (Spain and Por- spp. and A J.M.pplied Franco Simulations with HPLC and analy nte- tugal). Therefore, the detection of high sis. This work was funded by ASIMUTH y Biotoxinas, pp 59-65 Pseudo-nitzschia grated Modelling for the Understand- 9. Vale P & Sampayo MA 2002. Harmful densities of “known” toxigenic species ingproject of T oxic ( and Harmful algal bloomsI Algae 1: 127-135 of is not enough for 10. Salgado C et al. 2003. In: Molluscan monitoring purposes, if it is not accom- ) Shellfish Safety, pp 169-177 panied by toxin analyses to confirm the from the 7th Framework Programme 11. Díaz PA et al. 2013. Deep Sea Res II presence of domoic acid. In this context, (ASIMUTH/SPACE-Grant Agreement doi:10.1016/j.dsr2.2013.09.043i: 12. Hasle GR 1965. Skr norske Vidensk Akad monitoringPseudo-nitzschia based on ASP toxin content 261860) of the European Commission. I Mat Nat Kl NS 18 per volume of water in addition to rou- Patricio A. Díaz is supported by a PhD 13. Furey A et al. 2001. J Chromatogr 938: tine cell counts, would fellowship from the BECAS–CHILE Pro- 167-174 be a more realistic early warning tool for gramme of the National Commission for 14. INTECMAR 2009. Anuario Oceanográfico seafood safety management. This is ap- Scientific and Technological Research de Galicia, p 434 15. Trainer VL & Suddleson M 2005. Oceano­ plied in the monitoring programme of References(CONICYT), Chile. graphy 18: 228-237 the U.S. west coast [15], where a combi- 1. Trainer VL et al. 2012. Hamrful Algae nation of microscopic monitoring of the 14: 271-300 Authors algae and assessment of cellular toxicity 2. Bates SS 1998. In: Physiological Ecology Patricio A Díaz & Beatriz Reguera, Instituto Español de Oceanografía (IEO), Centro (expressed as “particulate DA”) using of Harmful Algal Blooms, pp 405-426 3. Fraga S et al. 1998. In: Harmful Algae, Oceanográfico de Vigo, Subida a Radio Faro test strips (Jellett Rapid Tests) gives an Xunta de Galicia. IOC UNESCO, pp 270- 50, 36390 Vigo, Spain. effective early warning of shellfish toxifi- 273 cation events, reducing the risk associat- 4. Míguez A et al. 1996. In: Harmful and Manuel Ruiz-Villarreal, IEO, Centro Oceano­ ed with potential toxicity in razor clams. Toxic Algal Blooms, pp 143-145 gráfico de A Coruña, Muelle de las Ánimas Acknowledgements 5. Figueiras F & Pazos Y 1991. Mar Ecol s/n, 15001, A Coruña, Spain. Prog Ser 76: 219-233 6. Wooster WS et al. 1976. J Mar Res 34: Email: [email protected] We thank INTECMAR for weekly re- 131- 141 ports on phytoplankton distributions in the Galician Rías Baixas. S. Fraga helped

Fig. 3. Phase contrast micrographs of found in Ría de ­Pontevedra (NW Spain), during a bloom in May 2007.

HARMFUL ALGAE NEWS NO. 48 / 2014 Pseudo-nitzschia australis

11 Blooms of a Chattonella species (Raphidohyceae) in La Redonda Lagoon, depression and ii) numerous yellowish- green or yellowish-brown chromoplas- Northeastern Cuba tids radially arranged in the cytoplasm (Figs 2-8). Members of this genus were not found earlier in Cuban waters. Cells of the Cuban strains were obovoid, oblong to near heart-shaped (probably corresponding with earlier steps of cell division), 19,6-47,6 µm length and 12,6-30,8 µm broad, slight- ly flattened, lanceolate or somewhat asymmetrical in lateral view, with an anterior end rounded or flat-rounded with a median depression. From the bottom of these depressions emerge two subequal, heterodynamic flagella. Posterior end acutely rounded or very often with a terminal short, colourless, nearly straight, cylindrical or slightly curved tail. Chromoplastids are many, radially arranged, occupying the entire cytoplasm or withdraw from the poste- rior tail, yellowish-green or yellowish- brown, ellipsoid to cuneiform, each with a hardly visible, naked pyrenoid. Contractile vacuoles, eyespots and ejec- tisomes (mucocysts) are lacking. Re- production by cell division occurs along the longitudinal axe C.(Figs marina 2-8). These Cuban specimens could be Fig.1. Map showing the study area: Lagoon La Redonda, northeastern coast of Cuba. identified either as C. (cellssubsalsa are obovoid with the posterior tail acute Chattonella and evidently curved) or (cells are obovoid or nearly oblong Species of the genus in the area, but the fish population den- with acutely rounded, straight poste- Biecheler (Raphidophyceae) are widely sity had decreased in the last years, due rior end); then the diagnostic features distributedChattonella in temperate and subtropi- apparently to poor larval survival. of both species overlap, exceptC. subsalsa for the cal/tropical areas of the world. Blooms Plankton samples collected in La presenceC. ofmarina ejectisomes (mucocysts) of have been associated Redonda Lagoon in November 2013 which should be present in with mortality of captive and wild fish and observed in a Laborlux Leica-Leitz but not . According to tradi- populations [1-4]. The genus according microscope revealed an abundant (9.66 tional (based on morpho- C. antiqua 4 to Hara et al. [5]C. comprisesmarina seven spe- x 10 cells/L) population of a logical features), different authors con- cies, among which, (Hada) Chattonellawhose main morphological features sider the two identical, but taking into Ono 1980 and (Subrahman- corresponded with those of the genus account theC. subsalsa presence of ejectisomes “yan)Chattonella Hara et Chihara 1982 are known to : i.e. cells with i) two sub- and no thylakoids penetrating the pyr- be the most harmful fish-killing species. equal, heterodynamic flagella emerg- enoids in , Hallegraeff & Hara red tides” are most fre- ing from the bottom of an apical cell [3] maintain them as separated spe- quent in east Asia [6], but species of this Table 1. Some characteristics of La Redonda Lagoon, Cuba, after González de Zayas genus have been reported from Brazil & Lestayo (in litt.); figures are mean values. and The Netherland coasts [7,8]. La Redonda Lagoon together with Laguna de la Leche, belong to a shal- low brackish lagoon system located in northeast Cuba (Fig. 1). Table 1 inshows litt the main characteristics of this lagoon Micropterus(González de salmoides Zayas & Lestayo, .) which has been used as a reservoir for Lacepède 1802 (largemouth black bass). No red tides or fish mortality were previously detected HARMFUL ALGAE NEWS NO. 48 / 2014 12 cies. Bowers et al. [9], based on gene sequence analysis, accepted them as different species in spite of their weakly supported results. Because our popuad- interimlation was foundC. subsalsa in a low salinity en- vironment we prefer to consider it “ ” as Biecheler. Fur- ther studies are needed for a definitive identification. This is the first time phytoplankton is studied inC. this subsalsalagoon ecosystem. At- tention should be paid to the potential relation of cf. andChattonella low sur- vival of largemouth black bass larvae. Moderate concentrations of

were found in our6 sampling,-1 but even- tual blooms (>10 cells L ) could cause Acknowledgementsmass mortalities of fish in the lagoon.

To Rosely Peraza and Misael Diaz from CEAC, and Roberto González from CIEC, Cuba. To the IAEA Regional Project RLA- 7-014 and IOC-IEO from Vigo, Spain. Figs. 2-7. cf. : 2-3) -like; 3,7) -like, but with a short cylindrical posterior tail (black arrow); 5) earlier stages of cell division (black arrow); References 6) longer Chattonellaflagellum (blacksubsalsa arrow). C. marina C. subsalsa 1. Subrahmanyan R 1954. Indian J Fish 1: 182-203 2. Okaichi T 1989. In: Okaichi T et al (eds), Red tides: Biology, environmental science and toxicology. (Elsevier, New York), pp137-142 3. Hallegraeff GM & Hara Y 2004. In: Hallegraeff GM et al (eds), Manual on Harmful Marine Microalgae (UNESCO), pp511-522 4. Backe-Hansen P et al 2001. In: Hallegra- eff, GM (eds), Harmful Algal Blooms 2000 (UNESCO), pp78-81 5. Hara Y et al 1994. Japanese Journal Phycology 42: 407-420 6. Imai I et al 1998). In: Anderson, DM (eds), Physiological Ecology of Harmful Algal Blooms (Springer-Verlag) pp95- 112 7. Odebrecht C & Abreu PC 1995. Harmful Algae News 12/13: 4 8. Vrieling EG (1995). Neth J Sea Res 33: 183-191 9. Bowers HA et al 2006. J Phycol 42: 1333- 1348

Authors Ángel Moreira-González & Augusto Comas- González, Centro de Estudios Ambientales de Cienfuegos (CEAC), Apartado Postal 5, Código Postal 59350. Ciudad Nuclear, ­Cienfuegos, Cuba. Fig. 8a-h. cf. ; a) -like; b-c) -like; d-e) -like, but with a short cylindrical terminal tail; f-h) earlier steps of the longitudinal cell division. E-mail: [email protected] Chattonella subsalsa C. subsalsa C. marina C. subsalsa

HARMFUL ALGAE NEWS NO. 48 / 2014

13 Foam events due to a Phaeocystis bloom along the Catalan Coast celona city coast (Fig. 1, 2a). These cam- eras started to monitor the area in 2001; (NW Mediterranean) in addition, since March 2002, water samples are collected regularly (usually once a month) at 8 coastal stations (1.1 to 1.4 and 2.1 to 2.4, Fig. 2a), within the framework of the Coastal Oceanograph- ic Observatory programme (http:// coo.icm.csic.es/content/barcelonaelb). Phytoplankton counts by inverted mi- croscopy are routinely carried out for the surface samples of Station 1.4. One week later (March 27), the Harmful Al- gae Monitoring Programme (focusing on harmful and noxious species along the Catalan coast) detected foam on several beaches along approximately Fig.1. Location of the beaches 40 km of shoreline to the north of Bar- where foams were observed. celona (Cabrera, Mataró, St. Andreu de Llavaneres and Cavaió beaches; Fig. 1, Phaeocystis 2b). Phytoplankton samples (fixed with acidic Lugol´s solution) taken four days Species of the genus (Prym- genus is an important component of the prior to foam detectionPhaeocystis (March 15) at nesiophyceae) have a world-wide winter-spring phytoplankton commu- station A (Fig. 2a), revealed the pres- distribution and can produce nearly nity in offshore waters of the NW Medi- ence of high abundance, monospecific blooms. Their life cycle terranean, outside of the diatom-dom- both in surface waters and6 at depth-1 is generally polymorphic with free liv- inated patches that develop after deep (decreasing from 1.64 x6 10 cells-1 L at ing non-motile and flagellated cells, convection in the Liguro-Provençal re- the surface to 0.80 x 10 cells L at 30 and colonies composed of few to thou- gion [3]. On the other hand, foam events m depth; Fig. 3a). One day later (March sands of cells embedded in a mucilagi- have been recorded throughout the 16), a phytoplankton sample (fixed nous matrix [1]. Massive blooms of the year along the Catalan coast (especially Phaeocystiswith formaldehyde-hexamine) taken at colonial phase have been observed in during autumn and spring), but only Station 1.4 also revealed a very dense nutrient-rich waters such as those of one observation in March 1996,Phaeocystis off the population (Table 1). Simi- North European coastal zones and po- coast of Montroig (Tarragona) had been larly, water samples (fixed with Lugol´s lar regions. These blooms may cause related to the presence of solution) from the Cabrera, Mataró, problems for local fishing activities (be- (M. Delgado, personal communication). St. Andreu de Llavaneres and Cavaió6 cause of clogging fishing nets) and are In fact, in most cases, the occurrence of beaches presented more than 5 x 10 Phaeocystis-1 often associated with an accumulation foam on the Catalan coast could not be cells L of Phaeocystis (Table 1). High of foam at the coast, which may have directly associated with any particular concentrations remained negative consequences for the tour- phytoplankton species. in coastal waters of Barcelona for more ist industry. In addition, some species In March 2006, foam was observed than one month, given that high concen- may produce substancesPhaeocystis that are toxic at various locations along the central trations of this organism were recorded to fish [2]. coast of Catalonia (NW Mediterranean). at station6 A on April-1 4, (increasing from The presence of in the A foam event lasting for one day was 0.41 6x 10 cells-1 L at the surface to 1.62 Catalan Sea (NW Mediterranean) has first detected on March 19 by five AR- x 10 cells L at the bottom, Fig. 3b), been reported on several occasions. This GUS video cameras focusing on the Bar- and at station 1.4 on April 27 (Table 1).

Fig. 2. a) Photography of the Barcelona coast taken with an ARGUS video camera system showing the presence of foams. Location of the sampling stations is indicated by black dots. b) Foams at the Mataró beach (Photo: Catalan Water Agency).

HARMFUL ALGAE NEWS NO. 48 / 2014

14 Table 1. Surface concentration of cells and Chlorophyll- (Chl- ) at sites where Phaeocystis formation of foam was observed. Phaeocystis Phaeocystis a a the from CataloniaPhaeocystis is cospe- cific with sp. 2. The occurrence of the bloom on the central coast of Catalo- nia was probably due to an intrusion of surface offshore aged Atlantic waters into the zone, a phenomenon related to the hydrographic changes observed in the whole NW Mediterranean dur- ing 2005 and 2006 as a consequence of two consecutive unusually dry, cold and windy winters. Information on how this hydrographic forcing affected the nutri- ent and phytoplankton dynamics on the Barcelona coast, as well as more details related to the bloom conditions, can be foundAcknowledgements in [7].

We thank Oscar Chic, José Manuel For- Phaeocystis Phaeocystistuño and Gandhi Forlani for assistance, and Adriana Zingone for her help on sp. bloom on the Catalan identification. Coast; potential mechanisms include References colony sedimentation,Laboea microzooplank- 1. Rousseau V et al 2007. Biogeochemistry ton and viral infection. A bloom of cili- 83: 29-47 ates (predominantly sp.), ob- 2. Aanesen RT et al 1998. Aquatic Toxicol- served in April 2006 on the Barcelona ogy 40: 109-121 4. Almeda R et al 2011. Limnology and coast [4],Phaeocystis suggests that ciliate grazing Oceanography 56: 415-430 could have been one of the main causes 5. Arin L et al 2006. Poster, 12th Intern for thePhaeocystis bloom termination. Conf on Harmful Algae (Copenhagen) 6. Medlin L & Zingone A 2007. Biogeochem- BasedPhaeocystis on colony globosa morphology (Fig. Fig. 3. Vertical profile of sp. 4a), sp. was first identified istry 83: 3-18 7. Arin L et al 2013. Estuarine, Coastal and abundances (cells L-1) and chlorophyll- as [5]. However, (Chl- ) concentrations (µgPhaeocystis L-1) at Station Shelf Science 133: 116-128 scanning and transmission electron mi- A (Barcelona) for a) March 15, 2006 anda b) Aprila 4, 2006. croscopy observations revealed neither Authors the typical body scales described for Laura Arin, Rodrigo, Nagore Sampedro, the flagellate stage of this species (Fig. Albert Reñé, Dolors Blasco, Calbet A, Jordi Phaeocystis Camp, & Marta Estrada, Institut de Ciències 4b and c) nor filaments of any kind. The del Mar (CSIC), Passeig Marítim de la Barce- The bloom of was not mo- morphological characteristics of both loneta 37-49, E08003 Barcelona, Spain noespecific, since high concentrations the colonies and the flagellatedPhaeocystis and of diatoms were also found (between non-flagellated free cells agree with Email: [email protected] 4Bacteriastrum6 Rhizosolenia-1 Pseudo- Phaeo- nitzschia10 and 10 cells L ), mainly species cystisthose of a new species of of , , found in Mediterranean waters ( and . It is not clear sp. 2 in [6]). However, genetic in- what caused the termination of the formation is needed to confirm whether

Fig. 4. sp. colonies and cells observed at different magnifications a) Small new colonies, Light microscopy; b) Free non-flagellate and flagellate cells, SEM (Photo: Fortuño and Arin); c) Free flagellate cell, TEM (Photo: Forlani); h = haptonema. Phaeocystis HARMFUL ALGAE NEWS NO. 48 / 2014

15 PHENOMER: Better Knowledge of HAB with the help of Citizen observations alerts. In case of phytoplankton discol- orations, either the nearest research teams of the project network promptly go and sample the bloom, or the vol- unteers are asked to follow a sampling protocol. Sample are then taken to the nearest laboratory (there are 6 dotted around Brittany’s 2730 km of coastline) for analysis. The species responsible for the blooms are identified and feedback is spread both to the scientific commu- nity and to the general public on the in- ternet site and via social media. Prompt and very localised reports of water discolorations across a wide spa- tial scale can provide information on the distribution and extension of these phe- nomena, as well as on the biogeography of the causative organisms, including harmful species. Ecosystems where water discolorations are more likely to Fig. 1 The Phenomer HAB reporting process. occur can be better identified on the basis of a monitoring system based on a theoretically infinite number of sam- A citizen monitoring programme of Citizens are invited to report events pling points (via public observations). water discoloration observations was they may observe (water discoloration, This would eventually favour the man- launched across Brittany (France) wa- foam, or faunal mortalities) (Fig.1). The aging and monitoring of areas at risk as ters in 2013, in parallel with the ongo- observations are reported either by well as the realisation of new research ing phytoplankton and biotoxin moni- phone or via an on-line form, and are projects. From a practical point of view, toring network REPHY [1]. This project, subsequently analysed by the scientific the PHENOMER network allows for named PHENOMER (an acronym for team on-call in order to discard false rapid bloom sampling. Depending on ‘visible phenomena at sea’, combined with ‘phenology’, in French) is carried out by Ifremer and scientific and non- government organization partners and has as objectives a) to increase gen- eral public awareness of Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) and b) to provide sci- entific data for current and future re- search. To our knowledge, PHENOMER (www.phenomer.org) is a unique and new initiative in European waters. Vol- unteer HAB monitoring programmes were launched along the United States west coast in the early 1990’s [2], along the east coast of the U.S.A. since 2001 via the NOAA-sponsored Phytoplank- ton Monitoring Network [3], and very recently along Canada’s west coast due to an outbreak of diarrhetic shellfish poisoning [4]. The PHENOMER pilot study area is the Brittany coastline, a region frequently subject to microal- gae blooms in its many tideways and small coastal rivers.Alexandrium Examples minutum, of high biomass HAB species already reported Lepidodinium chlorophorum, Noctiluca Fig. 2. Photograph of a bloom sent in by a volunteer. scintillansin Brittany are Mesodinium rubrum Taken in July 2013 in the Bay of Biscay. Source: Maxence Loridan/Phenomer. Noctiluca scintillans and . HARMFUL ALGAE NEWS NO. 48 / 2014 16 2. Anderson D M et al 2001. APEC #201- MR-01.1, Asia Pacific Economic Program, the blooming species and the ongoing evant geographic scope. We therefore Singapore, and Intergovernmental research programmes, the water sam- hope to extend PHENOMER to the rest Oceanographic Commission Technical ples and subsequent cultures can be of mainland France’s coastline, before Series No. 59, Paris 3. NCCOS Phytoplankton Monitoring dispatched to different research teams.a developing partnerships with neigh- Network http://products.coastalscience. By combining human observation data Acknowledgementsbouring countries. noaa.gov/pmn/ from PHENOMER with chlorophyll 4. McIntyre L et al 2013. Mar Drugs 11: satellite imagery and results from ongo- 4144-4157 ing water quality programmes, we hope The authors gratefully acknowledge 5. Dickinson J et al 2010. Ann Rev Ecol, Evol Syst 41: 149-172 to shed new light on the cell concentra- the PHENOMER participants who 6. Tweddle J C 2012. Guide to citizen sci- tions at which high biomass HABs can shared their bloom observations. We ence: developing, implementing and be observed. would like to warmly thank the scien- evaluating citizen science to study Citizen science has influenced both tific and environmental association biodiversity and the environment in the UK (Natural History Museum and NERC the scale of ecological research that partners (http://www.phenomer.org/ Centre for Ecology & Hydrology for UK- is being done and the relationship be- Phenomer/Partenaires). Support for EOF) Available online: www.ukeof.org.uk tween ecologists and the public [5]. Phenomer was provided by the “Quels It can be very effective for engaging littoraux pour demain?” tender of the people with how science works and Fondation de France, the Loire-Brittany Authors Curd A., Chapelle A. & Siano R. for increasing their awareness of en- Water Agency and the French Ministry Ifremer Dyneco, Z.I. de la pointe du Diable, vironmental issues and their local en- of Environment. CS 10070, 29280 Plouzané, France vironment [6]. Projects including citi- References zen participation must cross national 1. Comas González A et al 2010. Bol Soc 1. Email: [email protected] REPHY http://envlit.ifremer.fr/infos/ boundaries, necessitating partnerships rephy_info_toxines (in French). between governmental and non-gov- ernmental organisations to achieve rel- The UK Marine Climate Change Impacts Partnership launches the 2013 annual areas are still enforced in both UK and RoI due to high concentrations of algal report card toxins in shellfish flesh. Since the pre- vious report card in 2011, the first clo- sures of shellfish harvesting areas as a result of concentrations of azaspiracids The United Marine Climate north east Atlantic and North Sea areas (AZA) above the EU closure limit have Change Impacts Partnership (MCCIP) as well as changes in the timing of some also been enforced in Scottish waters. brings together scientists and policy plankton production.Karenia mikimotoi HABs remain a Prior to this, closures for AZA had only makers from universities, government, concern in both the UK and RoI with been enforced in the RoI. government agencies and non-govern- blooms of continu- The MCCIP annual report card can mental organisations to provide co-or- ing to impact areas with an Atlantic in- be found at http://www.mccip.org. dinated advice on the impacts of climate fluence. Closures of shellfish harvesting uk/media/18758/mccip-arc2013.pdf. change in UK waters. One of the main The individual supporting scientific re- activities of the MCCIP is the production views can be found at http://www.mc- of an annual report card supported by cip.org.uk/annual-report-card/2013. scientific documents which have been aspx/#Supporting. For further informa- peer-reviewed. This report card pro- tion about the MCCIP please contact of- vides an update on the understanding [email protected]. of the impacts of climate change on the Authors UK and Republic of Ireland (RoI) ma- Eileen Bresnan, Marine Scotland Science, 375 Victoria Road, Aberdeen, AB11 9DB, UK rine ecosystem and associated services. The MCCIP has recently launched the Martin Edwards,, Sir Alistair Hardy Founda- 2013 annual report card. Peer reviewed tion for Ocean Science (SAHFOS), Plymouth, scientific reports support the 33 topics PL1 2PB, UK discussed. These include temperature, Georgia Bayliss-Brown, MCCIP Secre- salinity, , eutrophi- tariat, Cefas Lowestoft Lab, Pakefield Road, cation, plankton, harmful algal blooms Lowestoft,NR33 0HT, UK (HABs), non-native species, aquacul- ture and fisheries. Email: [email protected]

Plankton and HAB highlights from 2013 MCCIP Report Card the supporting scientific reviews re- vealHARMFUL a ALGAE decrease NEWS NO. 48in / 2014dinoflagellates in the 17 THE 16TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON HARMFUL ALGAE THE 16TH27 INTERNATIONAL – 31 October 2014 CONFERENCE • Wellington, NewON HARMFUL Zealand ALGAE 27 – 31 October 2014 • Wellington, New Zealand THE 16TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON HARMFUL ALGAE 27 – 31 October 2014 • Wellington, New Zealand The theme of the conference is “Advancement through Shared Science”, which reflects the Themultidisciplinary theme of the nature conference of the isfield “Advancement and the immense through value Shared of international Science”, collaboration. which reflects the Topicsmultidisciplinary include: nature of the field and the immense value of international collaboration. The Topics theme include: of the conference is “Advancement through Shared Science”, which reflects the multidisciplinary  HAB biogeography, nature of theregional field andevents the andimmense population value dynamics of international (modeling collaboration. and prediction) Topics HarmfulHAB include: biogeography, and nuisance regional algae inevents marine and and population freshwater dynamics benthic (modelingenvironments and (includingprediction)  diatoms,Harmful and cyanobacteria nuisance algae and ciguatera)in marine and freshwater benthic environments (including  ToxinHABdiatoms, biogeography, chemistry cyanobacteria and regionalanalytical and ciguatera)events methods and population dynamics (modeling and prediction)  ToxicologyHarmfulToxin chemistry and and nuisance internationaland analytical algae inregulation methodsmarine and of algal freshwater toxins inbenthic food environments (including  Taxomony,diatoms,Toxicology cyanobacteria andfunctional international genomics and ciguatera)regulation and genetic of algal diversity toxins ofin HABsfood  SensorsToxinTaxomony, chemistry and functional new and technologies analytical genomics methodsfor and cell genetic and toxin diversity detection of HABs  ImpactsToxicologySensors ofand HABsand new international ontechnologies ecosystems, regulation for aquaculture, cell and of algal toxin fisheriestoxins detection in andfood public health  ClimateTaxomony,Impacts change,of HABs functional eutrophicationon ecosystems, genomics and and aquaculture, HABs genetic (including diversity fisheries macro of andHABs- algae)public health  MonitoringSensorsClimate change, and and new remote eutrophication technologies sensing, for andmanagement cell HABs and (includingtoxin and detection mitigation macro -algae) of HABs  ImpactsMonitoring of HABsand remote on ecosystems, sensing, management aquaculture, and fisheries mitigation and publicof HABs health  Climate change, eutrophication and HABs (including macro-algae)  Monitoring and remote sensing, management and mitigation of HABs CRITICAL DATES First circular and CRITICAL call for papers: DATES 6 Jan 14 First circular and call for papers: 6 Jan 14 Paper submissionCRITICAL deadline: DATES 15 May 14 Paper submission deadline: 15 May 14 FirstNotification circular to and authors call forof acceptance:papers: 615 Jan Jul 1414 Notification to authors of acceptance: 15 Jul 14 EndPaper of submissionearly-bird registration: deadline: 15 AugMay 1414 End of early-bird registration: 15 Aug 14 Conference:Notification to authors of acceptance: 1527 -Jul31 14Oct -14 Conference: 27-31 Oct-14 End of early-bird registration: 15 Aug 14 Conference: 27-31 Oct-14 CONTACT ConferencesCONTACT & Events Limited, POConferences Box 24078, & MannersEvents Limited, Street, PO BoxWellington 24078,CONTACT Manners 6142, NZ Street, Ph +64 Conferences4 384Wellington 1511, E& [email protected] 6142, NZLimited, Ph +64PO 4 384 Box 1511, 24078, E [email protected] Street, Wellington 6142, NZ Ph +64 4 384 1511, E [email protected]

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HARMFUL ALGAE NEWS NO. 48 / 2014

18 EASTHAB-VIII Symposium held in Seoul, Korea, November 2013

The EASTHAB-VIII Bi-annual Confer- ence was held on November 7-8, 2013 at Hanyang University, Seoul, Korea with more than 50 scientists and ex- perts from the four member countries, China, Japan, Philippines, and Korea. Each country presented its national re- port on harmful algal blooms (HABs), focused on outbreaks and recent trends. There were also 20 scientific reports including 12 oral presentations and 8 posters. Three scientific sessions were established, on 1) bloom environments and monitoring, 2) ecology, physiology, and oceanography, and 3) benthic dino- flagellates and mitigation, to under- Some participants in the EASTHAB-VIII Symposium, 7 Nov. 2013 stand the present situation and to find out collaborative procedures for more efficient monitoring. According to these reports, a total western Japan and caused great dam- sity Japan), Dr. Changkyu Lee (NFRDI), of 43 HABs occurredCochlodinium in Korean polykrid coastal- age, particularlyHeterocapsa in the circularisquamawestern part of Dr. Myungsoo Han (Hnyang University), koideswaters C. in polykridoides 2013, of which, 28 events the Seto Inland Sea and Bungo Suido. Dr. Joongki Choi (Inha University Ko- were caused by C.Blooms polykrikoides of rea), Dr. Rhodora Azanza (UP-MSI), Dr. . blooms occurred in Lake Kamo (Niigata Prefecture) and Ulysses Mentojo (NFRDI Philippines), both on the southern and eastern coasts in the west caused sig- Dr. Aletta Yniguez (UP-MSI Philippines). from mid-July to early September, with nificant economic lossPyrodinium (Shigeru Itakura, baha- A work plan for a collaborative a massive (about 24.7 billion mense,Kazumi Gymnodinium Matsuoka). catenatum, Al- cruise to clarify the initiation and sub- Korean won, equal to US$ 25 million), exandriumIn the Philippines, sequent transport routes of fish killing the second largest fish kill since 1995. C. polykrikoides and HABs was proposed by NFRDI-Korea. It was assumed that the large-scale spp. have caused PSP events. The plan wouldCochlodinium include keeping polykrikoides track of blooms in 2013 were closely related to caused a fish kill on the simultaneous HABs such as fish killing low rainfall, high water temperature, western coast of Palawan (Rhodora blooms of , high salinity, and the strong influence Azanza). for the purpose of HAB prediction, es- of the Kuroshio warm current on Ko- Following the provisional agenda pecially in the East China Sea and adja- rean coasts in the summer season (Dr. of the host country, three topics were cent regions. When the cruise is funded Changkyu Lee). discussed, 1) operation of the terms of and implemented, an interim meeting Seventy three HAB events were re- reference (ToRs) of EASTHAB, 2) future including a workshop or forum will take ported in Chinese coastal waters in activities for 2014-2015, 3) the EAST- place in 2014. One option to improve 2012. HABsProrocentrum occurred donghaiense,mainly during Alex May- HAB-XI meeting venue. The EASTHAB public attention to the EASTHAB scien- andandrium June. Thetamarense, main species C. polykrikoides, responsible International Office is to revise and tific reports, is an agreement to publish wereKarenia mikimotoi, Aureococcus ano- enlarge ToRs to accommodate recent scientific articles in special issues of phagefferen changes. Dr. Hak-Gyoon Kim was ree- scientific journals. Creation of an EAST- Karlodinium veneficum, lected Secretary General to serve a four HAB web site and ways of fund raising Heterosigma andakashiwo potentially toxic spe- year term from 2014. were also discussed. More in-depth is- cies such as K. With regard to Future Activities for sues pertaining to this work are to be mikimotoi . SOA recorded a 2014-2015, a Scientific Steering Com- discussed at the EASTHAB-IX. large mortality of abalone caused by mittee (SSC) was established based on Dr. Songhui Lu (Jinan University) in the East China Sea, with an the revised ToRs. Twelve SSC members offered to host the next EASTHAB-IX economic loss of over 2 billion Chinese comprised of three scientists from each Meeting, to be held November 2015 in Yuan (Dr Douding Lu, Dr Xinfeng Dai). of the four countries were nominated as Guangzhou (Canton). In Japan in 2011-2012, serious follows: Dr. Mingjiang Zhou (IOCAS), Dr. Dr. Hak Gyoon Kim, Secretary General, HAB problems for aquaculture have Douding Lu (SIO-SOA), Dr. Songhui Lu EASTHAB, Pukyong National University, continued, mainly in western Japan. (Jinan University China), Dr. Goh Onit- LED-Marine Convergence Technology R&BD K. Center, San 100 Yongdand-dong, Nam-gu, mikimotoiThe causative organisms are diatoms, suka (Fisheries Research Agency), Dr. Busan, 608-739, Korea dinoflagellates, and . Mitsunori Iwataki (Yamagata Univer- HARMFUL ALGAE NEWS blooms NO. 48 / 2014 occurred widely in sity), Dr. Ichiro Imai (Hokkaido Univer- 19 National Shellfish Sanitation Programme in Argentina vested from shellfish bedsAmiantis and cultures pur- puratain Bahía Anegada, southMytilus of edulisBuenos platen Aires- sisProvince. PurplePanopea clams abbreviata ( ), musselsAulacomya ( atra ), geoduck ( ) and “cholga” ( ) are the main shellfish resources in the provinceAequi of- pectenRío Negro; tehuelchus the same species, (exceptProto the- thacapurple antiqua clam), and also scallops ( Ensis macha ), white clams ( ) and razor clams ( ), Mytilus are exploited edulis in the southern provinces of Chubut and Santa Cruz. Mussel ( ) cultivation pre- dominates in Tierra del Fuego, AntárZy- gochlamystida and the patagonica South Atlantic Islands, and “cholga” and deep-water scallops ( ) are harvest in the Beagle Channel. Provincial authorities have imple- mented monitoring of harmful algae, Fig. 1. Classified Shellfish Production Areas in the Argentinean coasts. and provide information to consumers on the risks involved in eating seafood unregulated by official controls, and the need to establish shellfish harvest- In 2005 Argentina began a National embayments and in coastal waters up ing bans to protect public health in all Programme to classify shellfish har- to the 12 miles limit in their respective areas associated with commercial ex- vesting areas, to provide a framework jurisdictions (Table 1). Shellfish pro- ploitations or recreational shellfish col- for the development of molluscan shell- duction areas are classified as A, B, or lection. Some provinces (e.g. Chubut) fish aquaculture and harvesting ac- C on the basis of their levels of chemical have a long history of HABs and shell- tivities in coastal areas. One of the first pollutants and microbiology. The Na- fish monitoring, but others have started steps was the establishment of a cov- tional Food Security Agency, SENASA, is monitoring quite recently. Monitoring enant between the “National Subsec- the authority which classifies the areas is carried out by the ACP in cooperation retariat of Fisheries and Aquaculture” and audits results provided by the pro- with universities, such as the National and the “National Service for Food and vincial authorities. All coastal areas in University of La Plata in Buenos Aires Agriculture Quality Control and Sanita- Argentina are classified as A, and shell- and the University of San Juan Bosco tion”, both belonging to the Ministry of fish harvests do not require depuration in Patagonia, and staff trained by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAG- before going to market. Specific regula- administration for these specific tasks. yP). Activities were coordinated by the tions to control a variety of resources Provincial inspectors are responsible Aquaculture Directorate from the same are published in resolution 829/2006 for phytoplankton and shellfish sam- ministry. of the Secretary of Agriculture,Crassostrea Fisher gi- pling and for their custody such that National regulations for classifica- gasies and Food. products sent to SENASA laboratories tion of shellfish production areas (Fig. The Pacific ( can be traced. 1) were modified and implemented ), an exotic species successfully Biweekly analyses of phytoplankton after meetings with the provincial au- adapted to northern Argentina, is har- samples with a focus on HAB species Table 1. Competences of the Provincial (ACP) and National (ACN) Authorities for Molluscan thorities and taking into account the Shellfish Safety in Argentina. different kinds of exploitation. Train- ing courses were organized for phyto- plankton and shellfish sampling, good procedures for handling shellfish, and identification of harmful algae species, and followed by the application of these common criteria to the whole country. In addition, technical staff had open workshops with shellfish growers and fishermen. Advances in standardization re- quired coordination between the cen- tral government and the competent maritime authorities (ACP), in gulfs and HARMFUL ALGAE NEWS NO. 48 / 2014 20 Fig. 2. Participants in the First National Workshop on Marine Biotoxins and Harmful Algal Blooms, Puerto Madryn, Argentina, 23-27 September 2013

are carried out in most coastal prov- tivities of HAB research and monitoring ii) news dissemination; iii) updates on inces. Results and early warnings of the in Argentina, and to identify the main harmful phytoplankton species identi- occurrence of toxigenic species are sent impediments to progress. fication; iv) periodic meetings to coor- to the provincial authorities and to the The first day of the workshop was dinate all HAB and biotoxin monitoring national network of laboratories. The open to representative fishermen and programmes in the country. The group latter perform the testing and calibra- shellfish grower associations. Protocols on toxin analyses considered essential: tion required by regulation ISO 17025, and results obtained in phytoplankton i) common purchase of imported toxin and are responsible for toxin analyses and shellfish toxin monitoring pro- standards; ii) to set as soon as possible of shellfish collected at the same time grammes carried out in each maritime the analytical procedures with the new as plankton samples. PSP toxins are an- province were presented. Special atten- LC-MS/MS system to resolve uncertain alyzed according to the standard mouse tion was focused on regulations for clas- results of lipophilic toxins obtained by bioassay (AOAC 959.08), and lipophilic sification of shellfish production areas, mouse bioassay; iii) to ensure participa- toxins by the procedure of the EU Ref- emerging toxins, and the way European tion of missing provincial laboratories erence Laboratory for Marine Biotoxins laboratories, such as INTECMAR, are on the National Laboratories Network. (CRLMB 2011). ASP toxins are analyzed adapting their existing control to recent In the context of classification of pro- by HPLC. Results are communicated to European Union regulations for marine duction areas, there is a need to revise the provincial authorities who enforce phycotoxins. On the second day, three current regulations including: i) check- harvesting bans/openings. Recently SE- round tables were arranged to discuss: ing the time gaps between sampling and NASA has acquired an LC-MS that will i) harmful algal blooms in Argentina; ii) analysis; ii) communication of harvest- be used to solve uncertainties in lipo- the main problems met by laboratories ing bans; iii) sampling frequency for dif- philic toxin resultsNational obtained Workshop by mouse on in charge of toxin analyses; iii) manage- ferent toxins; iii) review of the applied Marinebioassay. Biotoxins and Harmful Algal ment of classified production areas. system for classification of areas. BloomsThe First The group recognized the success Participants in the meeting had the of the workshop in facilitating contact opportunity to visit the HAB monitor- , convened by the MAGP through between professionals dedicated to dif- ing laboratory of the National Uni- the Subsecretariat of Fisheries and Aq- ferent aspects of HAB-related problems versity of Patagonia (Trelew) and the uaculture, was held in Puerto Madryn, in Argentina. They underlined advances provincial laboratory of the Health Min- Chubut, 23-27 September 2013 (Fig. 2). in recent years concerning implemen- istry in Chubut. In addition, the invited Researchers from Universidad Nacional tation of monitoring programmes and speakers met with authorities from the de La Plata, Universidad de la Patagonia identification of the main agents of toxic National Fisheries and Aquaculture Di- San Juan Bosco, and INIDEP, technical events. They directed attention to new rectorates, and visited the SENASA Lab- officers from the MAGP coastal labora- issues on regulated and unregulated oratory in Buenos Aires. tories and from SENASA, as well as of- emerging toxins (azaspiracids and fast Authors ficers from the Aquaculture Directorate acting toxins) that seem to be widely Marcela A. Álvarez, Directorate of Aquacul- and two invited speakers from Galicia, distributed on Argentinian coasts. Fu- ture, Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food, Paseo Colon 982-CABA-1063 Argentina Spain (Ángeles Moroño, INTECMAR and ture goals identified were: i) to establish [email protected] Beatriz Reguera, IEO) participated in a communication network including all thisHARMFUL meeting ALGAE NEWS toNO. 48coordinate / 2014 ongoing ac- participants in HAB-related activities; 21 News from Latin America

Participants in the RLAN (Latimerican Meeting on Harmful Algae) meeting. Florianápolis, Brazil, 7-9 October 2013.

Latin Ameri- can Association for Harmful Algae Stud- Researchers from Latin American coun- Harmful Algae, which will take place in ies During the RLAN, the tries met in Florianópolis, southern Florianópolis in 2016. Brazil for the Latin American Meeting The RLAN was very productive and (AlEAN) was created, with statutes on Harmful Algae (RLAN). The meeting brought together old colleagues with and philosophy inspired by the Inter- between 7 and 9 October 2013 was at- the new generation of researchers in national Society for Harmful Algal Stud- tended by about 60 participants from the region. There were 3 days of dis- ies, ­ISSHA. The association will work Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Ecuador, cussions, with presentation of oral and with ISSHA to strengthen their common Peru, and Mexico,as well as colleagues panel contributions and several round- goals and prepare a great event in 2016. from Sweden and Spain. The main ob- tables. These activities were joined by More details about plans for the 2016 jective of RLAN is to meet and discuss people involved in bivalve mollusk pro- ICHA will be presented to the society the harmful algae theme, recent ad- duction in Santa Catarina. The meeting at the meeting in Wellington, New Zea- vances in the field and future perspec- strengthened the idea of 17 ICHA as a land. tives. This event also aimed to discuss regional event with the effective partici- Luis A O Proença, Instituto Federal de Santa Catarina IFSC, Campus Itajaí, Rua Tijucas 55 strategies for organization as a regional pation of Latin American colleagues in Centro, Itajaí, SC, 88.301-360 Brasil initiative of the 17th International Con- the organizing committees. The event is Email: [email protected] ference on Harmful Algal - ICHA, the scheduled to take place between 9 and International Society for the Study of 14 October 2016.

HARMFUL ALGAE NEWS NO. 48 / 2014

22 GEOHAB Activities and Synthesis Plans

It has been an active year for GEOHAB. meeting had special relevance not only GlobalHAB, as a follow-on to GEOHAB. The Core Research Project on HABs in for the GEOHAB programme, but also This programme focuses on the theme Stratified Systems held an Open Science for the entire international scientific of “HABS in a Changing World” and is to Meeting in 2012. The outcomes from community of researchers and manag- be based on the GEOHAB Science Plan. that meeting are published and avail- ers engaged in the advance in harmful A new Science Steering Committee will able at www.geohab.info (Advances and research and mitigation of be formed, and an Implementation Plan Challenges for Understanding Physical- impacts. This synthesis OSM had two will be developed for GlobalHAB. This Biological Interactions in HABs in Strat- objectives, first to review scientific ad- will build on the success of GEOHAB, ified Systems)Deep Sea as aResearch GEOHAB II. Report. vances accomplished under GEOHAB but will provide the opportunity to ad- This workshop directly led to a special since its inception, second to identify a dress areas identified in the GEOHAB issue in Guest near-future roadmap of GEOHAB-like Science Plan but not previously imple- editors include R. Raine, E. Berdalet, M. activities to be pursued beyond 2013. mented, such as a science-based focus McManus, and H. Yamazaki. The special As part of the meeting, GEOHAB solic- on HAB toxins, socio-economic impacts, issue “Harmful Algal Blooms in Strati- ited submission of concept papers fo- and HABs at the land-sea interface. fied Systems” is already published. It cusing on potential activities that could Immediately following the Paris includes 21 peer-reviewed manuscripts be completed within the next 5 years, OSM, this plan was presented to the and a preface. GEOHAB has also partici- and asked the international HAB com- Intergovernmental Panel on Harmful pated in several international meetings munity to envision what opportunities Algal Blooms (IPHAB). The plan was and workshops, including co-spon- and challenges we face over the next endorsed by the International Oceano- soring the “Harmful Algae Blooms in a decade. graphic Commission (IOC), with an in- Changing World” workshop with ICES A total of 15 concept papers were vitation to the Scientific Committee on and PICES (see accompanying article), presented and discussed. These form Ocean Research (SCOR), the co-sponsor and participation in the Group on Earth a core list of potential science objec- of GEOHAB, to continue their involve- Observations (GEO) Oceans and Soci- tives moving beyond the 2014 end-date ment. ety: Blue Planet Symposium, held in Sao for the GEOHAB Programme. Meeting In preparation for the termination Paolo State, Brazil. GEOHAB was also participants identified several positive of the GEOHAB of synthesis documents asked to participate in the recent Joint outcomes from GEOHAB, including the and publications, while also maintain- Programming Initiative for Health and success of the various Open Science ing our active involvement with rele- Productive Seas and Oceans Initiative Meetings and workshops, the process vant international groups and agencies. (JPI-Oceans). for endorsing programmes and projects We look forward to providing updates The most exciting activity, however, from the community, and the emphasis on both the GEOHAB Synthesis and the was the successful Open Science Meet- on technology development, capacity launch of the GlobalHAB Programme at ing (OSM) held in Paris, France, April building, and training of young scien- the 16th International Conference on 24-26, 2013. This meeting attracted tists. HarmfulRaphael Kudela, Algae GEOHAB-SSCin New Zealand! Chair, Depart- ment of Ocean Sciences, University of Califor- an international group of scientists to The primary outcome from this nia, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA. share their insights regarding GEOHAB meeting was the proposal to initiate past, present, and future activities. This a new International HAB Programme,

“We all came to Paris because we recognize a fundamental problem (HABs), and cannot solve this problem in our individual laboratories. This requires an international approach.” Participants in the OSM on GEOHAB Synthesis, UNESCO, Paris 24, 26 April 213

HARMFUL ALGAE NEWS NO. 48 / 2014

23 Harmful Algal Blooms in a Changing World

There are projections that the process field of HAB research stands in terms of have known impacts on HAB species, it of climate change will lead to increased addressing HAB/climate change, and will be synergistic interactions among frequency and severity of Harmful Al- the directions it needs to move over the them that will determine the overall gal Blooms (HABs). Indeed there is next decade. impact on HAB species success in phy- evidence that climate change already Three broad classes of HABs were toplankton communities, interactions may be causing shifts in phytoplankton considered: toxic HABs that impact hu- that, realistically, there is at present no community composition, but the pro- man health, fish-killing HABs where evidence with which to inform. jections on climate-increasing the HAB the causative organisms affect both The workshop participants felt that impact remain, at this point, largely wild and cultured fish populations, and current insights on how climate change speculative. Although there are many high-biomass HABs, whether caused may influence grazing, and the effects intuitive linkages, these scenarios are by natural or anthropogenic process- of light on HAB species, are entirely in- founded on limited and often conflict- es, leading to hypoxia, foam, and other sufficient. Many HAB species are both ing experimental data, so that scientific negative impacts. The key underlying grazers and prey, but there is very lim- debate at this time cannot establish a consideration surrounding climate re- ited information on how the balance of link between HABs and climate change, lated distributional changes in HABs these processes might deviate as the let alone how dramatic any change in is three-pronged: HAB species “getting ocean environment changes. There are HABs might be in the future. Moreover, there”, being adapted well enough to model projections that climate change the field of HAB research lacks the rigor- “remain there” over the course of the will alter patterns of cloud cover, and ous organization structure of the Inter- season, and ultimately “staying there” thus change light fields spatially in sur- governmental Panel of Climate Change, for multiple seasons. There is much in face waters. While light is a key param- where scientists worldwide work in the invasive species research field that eter affecting phytoplankton communi- collaboration to quantify and evaluate could be applied to investigate HAB/cli- ties, and different species are know to trends in climate impacts. HAB scien- mate change links. be better light or shade adapted candi- tists need to proactively identify the The workshop deliberations used dates, there is no indication so far that fundamental parameters and research as a foundation observed and predict- HAB species will be affected differently infrastructure needed to effectively ad- ed climate changes in the physical and from non-HAB species. dress this important question if we are chemical conditions in aquatic systems An overriding theme during the to have those data we need when called identified in the AR4 IPCC Synthesis Re- workshop discussions was considera- upon to forecast or explain changing port on climate change, and combined tion of how environmental changes will HAB patterns. what is known about how these affect impact HAB species relative to non- It is important to recognize that the physiology of both general phyto- HAB species. Participants recognized the issue here is not simply whether a plankton as well as HAB species. The that much of the HAB research to date pattern might develop where fluctua- central questions asked were: what do has focused on the specifics of HAB tions in HAB frequencies become more we know about how a given parameter organisms, which though essential for prevalent in the future. Instead, based affects HAB species, what do we not understanding the ecophysiology of the on limited ecophysiological insights, it know of importance in terms of this organisms provides limited insight as to is reasonable to postulate there will be parameter’s impacts, which of these how HAB organisms interact within the fundamental changes in the distribu- unknowns are the most pressing ques- broader phytoplankton communities. tions of HABs, bringing ecosystem and tions, and how should we go abouttemper ad- One of the key workshop findings was human health threats to extensive new aturedressing them? the need for a shift in the strategy of regions, perhaps compounding current Topics considered included HAB research towards more compara- problems. There also likely will be in- and it’s effects on cellular growth tive investigations that inform on the creased “windows of opportunity” for rates,stratification nutrient uptake rates, toxin pro- thresholds for shifting balance among existing regional HABs, intensifying duction and cellular lipid composition, HAB and non-HAB species in the con- existing threats at a time when humans and and its impact on ver- text of climatically driven changes in will be relying more on coastal resourc- tical nutrient flux, physical and chemi- coastal and oceanic environments. es for food security. As it stands, the cal stability of the system andacidifica the pro- The workshop participants also con- HAB research community is woefully tionlonging of HAB windows of opportunity. sidered what new research tools would unprepared to provide solid insights Similarly, the effect of ocean help move the science forward most into the changes that will define the was examined in terms of success quickly. The primary need at this time next generation’s access to many ma- of HAB species and cellularnutrient toxin inputs syn- is organizing long-term sampling pro- rine resources. thesis and accumulation, along with grams to collect HAB-centric datasets of A workshop of international experts the effects from altered relevant parameters across diverse ge- convened in March, 2013 at the White- associated with changing precipitation ographical and oceanographic regimes. ley Center, Friday Harbor Laboratories, characteristics (e.g., pulsed terrestrial While regional and national monitoring University of Washington (funded by riverine flows) and facilitated transport programs already exist, none are suffi- PICES, GEOHAB and NOAA) to develop of culturally-derived nutrients. While cient to provide the data streams to as- a preliminary assessment of where the each of these four broad parameters sess changes in HABsHARMFUL in ALGAEnew, NEWS currently NO. 48 / 2014 24 Participants in the PICES-GEOHAB-NOAA workshop on HABs in a Changing World, Whiteley Center, Friday Harbor Laboratories, University of Washington, March, 2013.

unaffected regimes. The vast majority New investigative approaches will proaches to understand past outbreaks of these HAB data also lack the essen- also be needed to address the HAB/ and forecasting future outbreaks built tial calibrated oceanographic data to climate change issue. It is recognized upon detailed conceptual or heuristic link HAB changes to climate-dependent that isolates of given phytoplankton models were felt to be under-utilized. parameters. species differ in their growth responses Participants felt that next logical Participants agreed that the most to different stimuli, so there is a strong step in focusing HAB/climate change productive means to initiate these need to understand these localized dif- research was to convene an Open Sci- data collection streams is to collabo- ferences in projecting climate change ence Meeting on global change impacts rate with existing coastal and offshore effects. One novel approach is to or- on marine and freshwater HABs. The oceanographic monitoring sites, to add ganize “common garden” style culture goals of this symposium would be to a limited list of parameters (e.g. phyto- experiments, where many laboratories promote research in the topics along plankton composition, toxins, etc.) to around the globe conduct identical ex- the lines identified by the workshop establish HAB “observer sites”. Rec- periments using precise established participants to be of high priority over ognizing that laboratory facilities and procedures to test the effects of one or the next decade, to bring new people expertise in many areas of interest are more parameters on a single species and expertise into the field (i.e., to make limited, a shorter list of key parameters isolated from their local waters. This climate change researchers aware of that are easily obtained with simple approach provides the ideal mechanism the HAB issue, and how their expertise sampling approaches was developed to for evaluating species responses as well and methods may find rich ground for facilitate new outpost-type monitoring as characterizing inter-strain variabil- research), and to focus community ef- sites. ity. Other methods included cross–sec- forts towards identifying the data need- A second kind of sentinel site was tional research programs such as me- ed to unequivocally demonstrate a link- envisioned by participants, termed “su- socosms and other enclosures using age between HABs and climate change. per sites”, that while limited in number, standardized methods, design, analysis, The workshop findings are now be- would be equipped with sophisticated and assessment. Enclosed basin study ing integratedHarmful into Algae. a manuscript intend- monitoring equipment to enable high- sites, where HABs are a repetitive fea- ed for publication in the international frequency sampling of phytoplankton ture, were also cited as promising in- journal The findings species composition along with ain wide situ struments for gauging HAB competitive will help provide a broader view for the range of environmental parameters. interactions in unrestricted coastal wa- HAB research community on some of Their purpose would be to enable ters. the key gaps in our understanding, and investigations of the ecology of HABs in Participants also identified a strong to help focus global research efforts on relation to non-HAB species. The goal of need to develop measures for dealing addressing HABs and climate change. both “observer” and “super” sites is to with HAB outbreaks, including proac- Mark L. Wells, School of Marine Sciences, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469, USA ensure adequate datasets for statistical tive (avoidance), abatement (halting) Email: [email protected] assessment of long-term change across and mitigation (reduced impact) strate- multipleHARMFUL ALGAE coastal NEWS NO. 48 and / 2014 oceanic regimes. gies. In addition, virtual assessment ap- 25 Participation of GEOHAB in “CSA Oceans UN/International ­Organisations Consultation Workshop”, Brussels, June 11th 2013

GEOHAB was invited to participate to ment of the JPI Oceans Draft Strategic pressing issues and promising research, the CSA Oceans UN/International Or- Research and Innovation Agenda. technology and innovation potentials, ganisations Consultation Workshop Participants provided their views in a 20-30 years perspective, related (June 11, 2013). The activity was part on the gaps and knowledge needs that to the seas and oceans in general. In of a broad mapping exercise being con- could potentially be relevant to JPI addition, the major challenges related ducted by the European Commission Oceans and how best to interface with to harmful algal blooms (HABs) in Eu- FP7 Coordinated Support Action (CSA) other mechanisms for European inter- ropean waters were highlighted, such Oceans to the Joint Programming Initia- national coordination and cooperation as the need for an operational ocean- tive on Healthy and Productive Seas and on marine and maritime research. In ography of HABs events, technical ad- Oceans (JPI Oceans, www.jpi-oceans. particular, JPI Oceans aims to add value vances to develop sustained long term eu). Inputs provided in the framework at a European level to make better use and high-resolution observing systems of this workshop and a subsequent ex- of R&D related national investments for biological processes (in general), to tensive questionnaire filled by the par- and resources, including human capaci- ascertain the impact of climate change ticipants are analysed to inform the ties and infrastructures. The document on HABs (including benthic ones), to European Commission on the develop- elaborated by GEOHAB emphasized implement sustainable and secure fish- eries, aquaculture and tourism, organi- zation of common and efficient ocean data bases, etc. JPI Oceans was also informed in detail about the scientific GEOHAB programme and its achieve- ments as a platform to coordinate and foster international research on HABs since its launch in 2000. In the future, GlobalHAB, recently endorsed by IOC/ UNESCO in the last IOC Assembly, will continue to work with the principle that the fundamental problem of HABs can- not be solved in individual laboratories and requires an international approach. The delivered document indicated that collaborative links between GlobalHAB and JPI Oceans will contribute to the structuring of efficient and sound ma- rine research in Europe. Elisa Berdalet, GEOHAB-SSC Vice Chair, Institut de Ciències del Mar (CSIC), Passeig Marítim de la Barceloneta 37-49, E08003 Barcelona, Spain, [email protected]

HARMFUL ALGAE NEWS NO. 48 / 2014

26 In Memoriam - Grethe Rytter Hasle

Grethe Rytter Hasle, 93, passed away was found to be responsible for the pro- quietly while sleeping between Nov 8 duction of domoic acid, causing Amnesic and Nov 9. She was born Jan 3, 1920. She Shellfish Poisoning in Prince Edward Is- was buried in Haslum near Oslo, Norway. land, Canada. Grethe Hasle’s research is Grethe was active until the very last. thus a prime example of the practical im- She drove her car for the last time a portance of basic science. Grethe helped week before she died. She had her last researchers from all over the world with scientific discussion 1½ week before Thalassiosira, Cymatosira the difficult taxonomy of this domoic-ac- she died, thus scientific ideas that she id-producing genus, culminatingPseudo- in her could not explore herself were passed ( ) genera. As 2002nitzschia review in “Harmful Algae” on the on. Her photos, slides and a huge collec- a pioneer in the combined use of light, global distribution of toxigenic tion of samples will be transferred to the scanning and transmission electron mi- species. Natural History Museum of Oslo to form croscopy, she became an internationally Grethe continued her prolific publi- the core of a newly established algal col- renowned expert on diatom ultrastruc- cation output throughout her eighties. lection. ture, and described the strutted and She worked until the very last with man- Grethe Hasle was a dedicated, in- labiate processes of Thalassiosiraceae. uscripts still in progress, and had her last spiring and productive scientist. She She has supervised students from all paper published only a few years ago. published several important pioneering over the world, and her dedication has She was elected to the Norwegian Acad- papers, and has influenced science and inspired diatomists everywhere. Grethe emy of Science and Letters in 1980, and scientists throughout the world in the Hasle was nominated a Full Professor in at the time she was the only woman in field of algal taxonomy. Grethe started Marine Botany at the University of Oslo the Science Class. In 1999, she received her career at Oslo University studying in 1977, the third female professor in the Excellence Award from the Phyco- the vertical migration of dinoflagellates Natural Science at the university. logical Society of America, and in 2002, and the reliability of single observations The high quality of Grethe’s work she was awarded the Yasumoto Lifetime in phytoplankton surveys. Her subse- is illustrated by her 1965 publicationPseudo- Haslea,Achievement Nanoneis Award hasleae, by ISSHA. Praethalas She is- quent work was on the taxonomy of coc- nitzschiain “Skrifter utgitt av Det Norske Viden- siosiropsishonoured byhasleae, the names Thalassiosira of the diatomshasleae colithophorids and ciliates. Her 1968 Ph. skaps-Akademi”, on the group Pseudo-nitzschia hasleana, D. dissertation was entitled “An analy- . She paid careful attention Dinophysis hasleae sis of the phytoplankton of the Pacific to details of the number of striae and and and the Southern Ocean: abundance, composi- fibulae, rows of poroids on the striae dinoflagellate . tion and distribution during the ‘Brat- membrane, the presence/absence of a Nina Lundholm, Natural History Museum, University of Copenhagen, Denmark egg’ Expedition, 1947-1948”. central interspace, as well as toNitzschia diatom Stimulated by a visit to Dr. Friedrich type material. This ground-breaking Gustaaf Hallegraeff, Institute for Marine and pungens multiseries Pseudo- Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, HustedtNitzschia, in Bremen, Fragilariopsis Grethe turned to nitzschiawork includes multiseries a description of Australia diatom taxonomy, ranging from pen- forma (now nate ( ) to centric ), which in 1987-88 In Memoriam - Professor Zhu Mingyuan

We are sad to communicate the passing and many ­others. He was very active away of our dear colleague, Professor both in Chinese ocean science and in Mingyuan Zhu. regional and international programmes Professor Mingyuan Zhu, was an out- and projects such as LME, GEOHAB, and standing Chinese expert on phytoplank- GLOBEC. His death is a great loss for the ton and HAB studies, at the State Ocean Chinese and worldwide phytoplankton Administration of China, First Institute and HAB communities. This has been a of Oceanography, Qingdao City. He sud- shock not only for his numerous former denly passed away without any warning students, many of them now in key po- while attending the PICES 2013 annual sitions in China and elsewhere, but also meeting in Nanaimo, BC, Canada. He for the many colleagues who have had was 70. Prof. Zhu was elected to many Group (RWG) on Investment, and Vice close cooperation with him and his re- academic positions. He was Secretary Head of the RWG on Ecosystems, UNDP/ search team. General of the Chinese Committee of GEF Yellow Sea Large Marine Ecosys- Ian Jenkinson & Ming Jiang Zhou, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute of Oceanology, SCOR, Vice Chairman of the IOC-FAO In- tem Project, as well as Vice-Chairman of 7, Nanhai Road, Qingdao 266071, China tergovernmental Panel on Harmful Algal the Chinese Committee of the SCOR-IOC Blooms,HARMFUL ALGAE Head NEWS NO. of 48 / the 2014 Regional Working Working Group on Harmful Algal Blooms, 27 Future Events

ICES Annual Science Conference 2014

A Coruña, Spain, 15-19 September 2014 Call for Abstracts now open

ICES Theme Session H: HarmfulICES Theme Session H: Harmful Algal Blooms in Aquaculture and Algal Blooms in Aquac Culture Fisheries ecosystems:We invite prediction you to contributeand societal with effects oral/ • Emerging benthic HABs and their and Fisheries ecosystems:ICES pre 2014- ICES Annual Science Conference, diction and societal effects poster presentations on the following toxins. Conveners: Beatriztopics: Reguera, Spain ([email protected]), Juan Blanco, •Spain Advances in automated HAB observ- ([email protected]) and Bengt Karlson, Sweden ([email protected]) • Advances in the ecology and ocean- ing systems, biosensors and toxin- ICES 2014 ICES Annual ScienceWe invite you to contribute with oral/poster presentations on the following topics: ography of HABs in the ICES detection methods. Conference  Advances in the ecology and oceanography of HABs in the ICES domain  Improvements• inImprovements HAB forecasting – coupled in HAB physical-biological, forecasting and •toxin Mitigation uptake- strategies detoxification models.– coupled physical-biological, and • Supporting information for the end-  HABs and their impact on wild fisheries and shellfisheries  Emerging benthictoxin HABs uptake-detoxification and their toxins. models. users Conveners: Beatriz Reguera, Spain Advances (be- in• automated HABs andHAB observingtheir impact systems, on biosensors wild fish and -toxin-detection methods. [email protected]), Juan  Blanco,Mitigation strategieseries and shellfisheries Deadline abstracts submission: 14 April  Supporting information for the end-users Spain ([email protected]) 2014 and Bengt Karlson, Sweden (bengt.karl- Deadline abstracts submission: 14 April 2014 Abstracts guidelines [email protected])

The ICES IOC Working Group on Dynamics (WGHABD) and review synthesis stories (HAEDAT planned joint ICES-PICES-IOC scien- entries from start to date) submitted in tific symposium on Climate change and advance from each country with a view harmful algal blooms. The symposium The working group, chaired by Bengt of drafting a ‘synthesis story’ about HAB is planned to be arranged in 2015; Karlson, Sweden, will meet in IJmuiden, events in the ICES area; i ) Contribute to the development of a Netherlands, 29 April – 2 May 2014 to: e ) WG should report on Automated Global Harmful Algal Bloom Status Re- Harmful Algal Bloom in situ Observa- Theport. Working Group is open to participa- a ) Report on new findings in the area of tion Systems; tion by experts also from IOC Member harmful algal bloom dynamics; f ) Finalize draft a review document States outside the ICES region. If you b ) Deliver National Reports on harm- quantifying on the scale nature and ex- or experts you wish to involve in the ful algal events and bloom dynamics for tent of the problems associated with WGHABD are interested in participating the year 2013; fish killing algae in the ICES region; they should communicate their interest c ) Summarize the harmful algal bloom g ) Review progress and advise the con- to the IOC (H. Enevoldsen) and with copy events 1990-1999 and in 2000 to 2009 veners on the planned session on Harm- to the Chair of the Group (B. Karlson). in the ICES region based on decadal ful Algal Blooms in Aquaculture and Participation is at national/institution- maps using HAEDAT with a view to in- Fisheries ecosystems: prediction and al/personal expense. vestigating if data are of a quality that societal effects at the 2014 ICES Annual allows inter-decadal comparisons; Science Conference in La Coruna, Spain; d ) Review progress regarding the enter- h ) Review progress and advice the ing of data onto the HAEDAT data-base scientific steering committee for the HARMFUL ALGAE NEWS NO. 48 / 2014 28 Priorities for International Cooperation on HAB set for next two years

Harmful Algae and Desalination of Seawater: In April 2013, the Eleventh Session of org, and individuals or institutions who the IOC Intergovernmental Panel on have issues or ideas for international IOC will work with partners Harmful Algal Blooms met at UNESCO cooperation that they wish to bring to to organize a meeting on impacts and Headquarters in Paris to review ac- the attention of IPHAB, are welcome to management of toxic and harmful algal tions completed during the past two contact the IOC Secretariat (hab.ioc@ blooms (HABs) at desalination plants years by IOC and partners in the area unesco.org) or the Chairs are of IPHAB and related seawater facilities in Mus- of HABs. Major achievements report- (seeHighlights web site). and new initiatives cat, Oman, 16-17 April 2014 to: ed included: (i) developments within a. Review the state of knowledge on GEOHAB including the launch of the the impact of HABs on desalination GEOHAB Research Plan for the Core Scientific Symposium on Harmful Algae plants and other facilities that utilize Research Project in Benthic Systems and Global Change: IOC, PICES and ICES large volumes of seawater in com- and the development of a revised inter- will convene an open scientific sympo- mercial or industrial applications national coordinated research plan for sium on harmful algal blooms and cli- b. Explore the engineering and opera- HABs; (ii) development of regional ac- mate change in 2015 to: tional strategies that are used, or tivities within ANCA, FANSA, HANA and a. provide examples of locations and could be used to mitigate the impacts WESTPAC-HAB; (iii) implementation events where climate change may be of HABs and other planktonic threats of more than ten training courses and affecting HABs and their impacts; to these types of facilities training-through-research projects; (iv) b. identify and promote research on c. Produce a manual of operations con- results from the ICES-IOC WGHABD and critical topics/aspects of the broader taining information on HABs and ICES-IOC-IMO WGBOSV; (v) continued field of HAB research to advance our their impacts and a series of recom- development of the integrated IPHAB- knowledge of the impacts of climate mendations on plant design and op- IODE Harmful Algae Information Sys- change on the global scale; erations in areas potentially impact- tem (vi) continued publication of the c. attract and retain new expertise from ed by HABs IOC Harmful Algae News; (vii) and IOC other scientific disciplines; d. Explore the potential risk for hu- co-sponsorship of international HAB d. evaluate the use of new technologies man health from chronic exposure conferences. for the collection and analysis of long to HAB toxins in drinking water, with The Panel made decisions con- term data on appropriate param- due attention to approaches used cerning (i), a Scientific Symposium eters; to remove cyanobacterial toxins in on Harmful Algae and Global Change e. develop the HAB component of glob- freshwater from drinking water res- with ICES and PICES (ii) Development al climate observing systems; ervoirs. of a Global HAB Status Report, (iii) an f. foster framework activities to fa- e. Produce a report summarizing the initiative on Harmful Algae and Desali- cilitate identifying and responding conference and its findings and rec- nation of Seawater, (iv) Regional HAB to climate change-driven effects on ommendations including research Programme Development, and revised HABs, including risk assessment priorities to fill knowledge gaps and terms of reference for the (v) Task Team with associated , probabilities and to inform policy decisions in this sub- on Biotoxin Monitoring, Management uncertainties.; HABsject area.in a Changing World: A New and Regulations, (vi), Task Team on Al- g. develop best practice recommenda- Global Approach to HAB Research gal Taxonomy, and (vii) Task Team on tions for research and monitoring to to Meet Societal Needs: Harmful Algae and Fish Kills. Developmentfill critical knowledge of a Global gaps; HAB Status The Panel made recommendations Report: Based on the (which were endorsed by the IOC As- synthesis of SCOR-IOC GEOHAB (www. sembly June 2013) concerning (i) a IOC will with partners (such as GEOHAB.info), a follow-up international new global approach to HAB research IAEA, ICES, PICES, etc) develop a peri- program will be developed on the foun- to meet societal needs, (ii) an increased odic Global Harmful Algal Bloom Status dations of the GEOHAB Science Plan, coordinated international focus on cig- Report to: focusing on understanding HABs in the uatera, (iii) a summary of the Decisions a. provide a global status and overview context of global sustainability, with the and planned intersessional activities of HAB events and their societal im- new name of GlobalHAB. A GlobalHAB into a Work Plan and budget for the IOC pacts; Scientific Steering Committee will be HAB Programme 2014-2015, and (iv) b. provide a global overview of the oc- established with partner organizations continuation of IPHAB and time of next currence of toxin producing microal- and will develop an Addendum to the Session, in April 2015. Dr. R. Magnien gae; GEOHAB Science Plan extending the (USA) was re-elected as Chair and Dr. c. assess the status and probability of scope to include human and ecosystem Gires Usup (Malaysia) was re-elected as change in HAB frequencies, intensi- health, and socio-economic impacts of Vice-Chair. ties, and range expansions resulting HABs to enhance sustainable manage- A list of current members of IPHAB from global change; ment of the oceans and coastal zone, canHARMFUL be ALGAE found NEWS NO.at 48 http://hab.ioc-unesco. / 2014 and will develop an Implementation 29 IAEA

Plan that describes a decadal program mittee for Fish and Fishery Products ICES Ciguatera,focused on HABsA Plan in afor Changing Improved World. Re- and its member countries aware that International Atomic Energy Agency search and Management: IPHAB prioritizes efforts on ciguatera, and also recommends the World Health PICESInternational Council for the Explora- IOC will as- Organization to assess if there is a basis tion of the Seas sess the establishment of a coordinated for classifying CFP as a neglected tropi- IOC-FAO-WHO effort on CFP to combine calAcronyms disease. SCORNorth Pacific Marine Sciences Organi- the capabilities of those agencies and ANCA zation that of ecologists, toxin chemists and medical researchers to: WESTPAC/HABScientific Committee on Oceanic a. Develop a coordinated ciguatera FANSAIOC HAB working group for Central ­Research strategy America and Caribbean Sea b. Improve organism detection and HAB Project of the IOC Sub-Commis- sampling strategies HANAIOC HAB working group for South sionHenrik for Enevoldsen, the Western Head, Pacific IOC Science and c. Improve toxin detection America Communication Centre on Harmful Algae, d. Improve epidemiological data collec- University of Copenhagen, Marine Biological tion, reporting and assessments IOC HAB working group for North Section, Universitetsparken 4, 2100 Copen- hagen Ø, Denmark IPHAB recommends that the IOC and its Africa Member States make the CODEX Com-

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Compiled and edited by Tim Wyatt, The opinions expressed herein are those Project Coordinator: Henrik Enevoldsen, Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas, CSIC, of the authors indicated and do not neces- IOC Science and Communication Centre Eduardo Cabello 6, 36208 Vigo, Spain; sarily reflect the views of UNESCO or its on Harmful Algae, University of Copen- Tel.: +34 986 23 19 30/23 19 73; IOC. Texts may be freely reproduced and hagen, Øster Farimagsgade 2D, DK-1353 Fax: +34 986 29 27 62; translated (except when reproduction or Copenhagen K, Denmark E-mail: [email protected] translation rights are indicated as reserv­ Tel.: +45 33 13 44 46; Lay-out: Department of Biology, ed), provided that mention is made of the E-mail: [email protected] University of Copenhagen, Denmark author and source and a copy sent to the Editors. ©UNESCO 2014. Printed in France ISSN 0020-7918