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Sacramento Luncheon Briefings

The Rising Tide of Toxic Blooms

November 30, 2007

Featuring Dr. Frances Gulland, Director of Veterinary Science at the Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito; Dr. David Caron, Professor of Biological Sciences at the University of Southern California;and Dr. John Ryan, an oceanographer at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI). This luncheon was moderated by Dr. Amber Mace, Executive Director of the California Ocean Science Trust and Science Advisor to the Ocean Protection Council.

Background Information

Harmful algal blooms occur naturally, but they appear to be increasing in frequency and intensity. A massive harmful algal bloom along California's coast in the spring of 2007 produced record toxin levels and caused hundreds of seabird and marine mammal deaths. NOAA estimates that harmful algal blooms cost the nation an average $75 million every year, by incurring public health expenses, commercial fishing closures, recreation and tourism losses, and increased management and monitoring costs. Because of the effect that harmful algal blooms can have on human health, sensitive ecosystems, and California's economy, it is important to detect and predict them.

This discussion was timely because the three west coast governors are currently considering ways to respond to harmful algal blooms, including the development and deployment of predictive tools and strategies, as part of the draft action plan of the West Coast Governor's Agreement on Ocean Health.

Luncheon Agenda

Speaker Bios

Presentations

"Impact of Domoic Acid on California Sea Lions: Food Chain Effects" (Gulland)

Presentation

"Harmful Algal Blooms of California and Their Ecosystem Impacts" (Caron)

Presentation

"Tools for Understanding Coastal Blooms" (Ryan)

Presentation

References

Reference List
Natural Marine Toxins: PSP and Domoic Acid Fact Sheet

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