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You are here: Home › Stressors › Extreme Natural Events › Harmful Algal Blooms › Current Programs › Overview 

Overview 

Click Here for information about the West Coast HAB Summit 

Why is this issue important? 

A small percentage of algal species cause harm to humans and the environment through toxin production or 

excessive growth—these are the harmful algae and they include both microalgae (microscopic, single celled 

organisms) and macroalgae (seaweeds). Some harmful algae produce potent toxins which cause illness or 

death in humans and marine organisms—fish, seabirds, manatees, sea lions, turtles, and dolphins are some 

commonly affected animals. Other types of harmful algae are nontoxic to humans but cause harm to fish 

and invertebrates by damaging or clogging their gills or by forming such large blooms that the death and 

subsequent decay of the algae lead to hypoxia (oxygen depletion) in the bottom waters of marine 

environments. Dense blooms can also block sunlight for beneficial algae and seagrasses. 

HABs can have major negative impacts on local economies, and a recent conservative assessment estimates 

that HABs occurring in marine waters alone have an average annual impact of $82 million dollars in the U.S.

All U.S. coastal states have experienced HABs over the last 

decade, and new species have emerged in some locations that 

were not previously known to have problems. HABs occur 

naturally, but human activities that disturb ecosystems in the 

form of increased nutrient loadings and pollution, food web 

alterations, introduced species, and water flow modifications have 

been linked to the increased occurrence of some HABs. 

 Economic Impacts of HABs 

 Human Dimensions of HABs 

How are we addressing this issue? 

NOAA’s goal is to provide tools to prevent, control, or mitigate the occurrence of HABs and their impacts. In 

the 10 years following the passage of the original Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control 

Act (HABHRCA), CSCOR HAB Programs have made significant advances that have improved HAB 

management. More accurate and efficient tools for detecting cells and toxins, early warning of toxic blooms,

better predictions of when and where the blooms will move, and partnerships developed that allow for more 

effective response are just a few examples of how CSCOR-supported HAB research has benefited society. 

Because the challenges for managing HABs differ among regions of the country, CSCOR maintains a regional

approach to its research that will continue to advance management capabilities in dealing with all the 

Nation’s major HAB threats. 

z Click here for Information about CSCOR's Regional HAB Research 

 

Magnified HAB cells (Alexandrium). Photo 

credit: WHOI 

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CSCOR: Stressors : Extreme Natural Events : Harmful Algal Blooms: Overview Page 1 of 1

http://www.cop.noaa.gov/stressors/extremeevents/hab/welcome.html 12/17/2009