G - I
HAB
Concerns about harmful algal blooms (HAB) have increased over the last decade largely because of the perceived increase in the number and duration of events. The toxins produced by these species cause finfish and shellfish poisoning, and mortality of marine animals, including mammals and birds. Advance warning of HABs increases the options for managing these events. The HAB Project develops and supports systems that provide information on the location and extent of red tide blooms in the Gulf of Mexico. The Experimental HAB bulletin alerts subscribers to developing blooms and changes in the location and extent of existing blooms. The HAB Mapping System (HABMapS) provides the position of an identified bloom and data from environmental conditions that may affect the extent or position. Both tools rely on remote sensing technology to provide the large spatial scale and high frequency of observations required to assess bloom location and movements. These tools can be used together to provide a regional perspective on HAB events. Additional information on HAB available at "http://www.csc.noaa.gov/crs/habf/index.html" Additional information on the HAB Mapping System available at "http://www.csc.noaa.gov/crs/habf/habmaps.html#SST" [Summary provided by NOAA]