IV 

109TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. RES. 824 

Recognizing the effects of harmful algal blooms, including Red Tide, on 

the environment, and for other purposes. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

MAY 19, 2006 

Ms. HARRIS (for herself, Mr. MACK, Mr. PUTNAM, Mr. MCGOVERN, Mr. 

FOLEY, and Ms. BORDALLO) submitted the following resolution; which 

was referred to the Committee on Science, and in addition to the Committee on Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the 

Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within 

the jurisdiction of the committee concerned 

RESOLUTION 

Recognizing the effects of harmful algal blooms, including 

Red Tide, on the environment, and for other purposes. 

Whereas a harmful algal bloom (‘‘HAB’’) is a condition that 

occurs in ocean waters when a significantly large and 

highly concentrated growth of phytoplankton or algae 

produces biotoxins or otherwise causes negative effects; 

Whereas a HAB event, commonly known as Red Tide, occurs 

when appropriate ocean conditions allow for massive 

overgrowth of reddish-brown phytoplankton, causing the 

phytoplankton to bloom and discolor the water; 

Whereas HABs commonly occur in waters off the East and 

West Coasts of the United States, as well as in the Gulf 


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of Mexico and in the waters surrounding the offshore territories of the United States; 

Whereas shellfish such as clams, mussels, and oysters feed 

upon the toxic phytoplankton associated with HABs, and 

then accumulate and concentrate the biotoxins, rendering 

these shellfish extremely toxic to the mammals and sea 

birds that consume them; 

Whereas HABs cause dangerous respiratory distress, burning 

eyes, and other ailments to individuals in affected areas, 

as well as the nationwide potential of severe food poisoning from the consumption of contaminated shellfish; 

Whereas HABs cause the deaths of hundreds of marine 

mammals and countless numbers of fish and other marine life; 

Whereas HABs cause significant economic harm to individuals and businesses engaged in fishing and shellfishing, 

as well as to communities and businesses that suffer from 

the inability of individuals to use and enjoy coastal areas 

and their resources; and 

Whereas at this time, because HABs are affected by many 

variables, including weather and currents, it is impossible 

to predict the location, timing, or duration of HABs, and 

further study is needed to understand how these variables, as well as other environmental factors, may cause 

or contribute to the formation or maintenance of HABs: 

Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) recognizes the effects of harmful algal 

3 blooms, including Red Tide, on the environment; 


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1 (2) commends public and private organizations 

2 that are researching the ongoing problem of harmful 

3 algal blooms; 

4 (3) recognizes the need for Federal, State, ter5 ritorial, and local agencies and other research insti6 tutions to work together toward a solution to the in7 creasing problems facing coastal areas from harmful 

8 algal blooms; and 

9 (4) expresses its sense that Federal, State, ter10 ritorial, and local agencies should increase research 

11 on harmful algal blooms in order to understand and 

12 minimize the environmental effects contributing to 

13 the formation and maintenance of harmful algal 

14 blooms. 

Æ 


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