Harmful Algal Blooms
Shifting through the recent news, the progress in the harmful algal bloom (HAB) space shines. Globally, HABs impact fisheries, public health, and economies. The NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) reported that HABs carry a $10–100 million price tag on average every year in the US alone.
Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium, whose reputation for studying HABs and producing applied marine science mitigation techniques persists, recently awarded Sundew ApS (sundew) funding to carry out the development of natural solutions for HABs based on Sundew’s marine microbial extracts. This announcement follows Mote’s successful red tide mitigation field trials in February, where their post-deployment analysis demonstrated significant reductions of Karenia brevis cells (the single-celled organism that causes red tide), as expected based on years of successful large-scale multi-species mesocosm laboratory testing.
University of South Florida (USF) research findings, published in the American Society for Microbiology’s journal mSphere, have—for the first time—identified viruses associated with Karenia brevis. Since viruses target specific organisms, this may carry implications for how HABs are managed and mitigated.
In the UK, a training and skills organization known as Lantra has expanded into the aquaculture sector by taking over the leadership of a UK-wide training initiative focused on HABs. This training program was built to be an accessible and understandable resource for skilling the seafood sectors for preventing and responding to HABs.
Aquaculture Highlight
In an exciting announcement, Pine Island Redfish—the first US recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) to farm red drum that launched in late 2023—celebrated news of its first harvest. The milestone serves as a testament to the potential for regenerative RAS technology to provide sustainable alternatives to prized seafood prohibited from commercial harvest. In addition to their successful product delivery, Piner Island Redfish repurposes fish waste nutrients to cultivate mangroves and halophytes.
Policy Introductions/Updates:
- US Representatives have introduced legislation to reauthorize the Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) for the next five fiscal years,
- US Congressman Mike Ezell introduced a Congressional Review Act (CRA) joint resolution of disapproval to reverse the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s (BOEM) rule that targeted oil and gas production in the outer continental shelf.
- US Representative Jared Huffman’s legislation, the San Francisco Bay Restoration Program Technical Correction Act, passed out of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.
- US Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Senator Angus King (I-Maine) reintroduced the Modernizing Access to Our Public Oceans (MAPOceans) Act, which would standardize, digitize, and map fishing restrictions in federal waters.
- US President Donald Trump signed S.J.Res.11, a joint resolution disapproving the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s rule titled “Protection of Marine Archaeological Resources.”
As we gear up for conference season, we’re expecting project updates, new marine instrument launches, and meaningful policy moves.
Spaces we’re watching: HABs, eDNA, Ocean Policy
You’ll find news and insights on all the above in “the water column”—exclusive editorial dedicated to giving our readers an alternate, bird’s eye view of the most significant happenings across the marine science, industry, and policy space. To keep abreast of all the latest developments, access the water column in print editions of eco magazine, nestled among the pages of Environmental Policy news, and in a monthly circulating digital edition found on LinkedIn and our website.
