Sensors for Monitoring Harmful Algae, Cyanobacteria and Their Toxins

12 a) How do we assess this? The mechanisms by which we can garner feedback from stakeholders were discussed extensively. Topics discussed ranged, but included generating surveys that tried to identify specific end-user needs. This involves consideration of social science because how surveys are conducted (wording of questions and answers, audience, etc.) can dramatically impact the responses and thus how survey data are interpreted. There was a general consensus about utilizing social science in numerous capacities, while other recommendations included how to better communicate results and findings to managers and the general public. b) What are the known challenges? 1. The expense of technologies can be a hindrance to adoption by stakeholders, which can directly affect the ability to spatially monitor a given area (e.g. throughout a water treatment plant system, beyond just intake/outtake sources). Despite this, there have been instances where timely data provided early warning of a potential threat. In 2008, an IFCB detected Dinophysis in Texas waters, which prompted officials to cancel an oyster festival due to the threat to human health (Campbell et al. 2010, Deeds et al. 2010). 2. Current surveillance projects and solutions have recognized holes (e.g. performance of satellites on cloudy days; seasonal deployments of moored instrumentation) and resolution issues. 3. The HAB community needs to arrive at a consensus regarding limits of detection and concentration triggers (cell abundance, toxin concentrations) to avoid confusion during an ensuing threat. 4. Natural biological constraints present unique challenges related to complex matrices and the presence of potential inhibitory substances. 5. The desire to detect the causative organism(s), associated toxin(s) and link those data to trophic transfer is not currently being met. Related to this aspect is the lack of measuring contributions from the benthic communities. • Q2: What constraints may limit widespread adoption of currently available technologies? Several constraints were identified: 1) A better integration of the valuation of technologies is badly needed. For example, is a $500K instrument worth the investment? Given massive events (example of the $800 million loss from recent Chilean fish kill was discussed; A. Esposito, posted March 9, 2016 ) that cost millions, this is a minor investment. Unfortunately, it is easier to show the economic benefits of expensive technologies after major catastrophes than when anticipating one. More coordination of how all of the current technologies can work together would be useful. 2) We need to better address ‘Fit For Purpose’: Technology exists but is it suitable for the job? Is timing of data generation/results and cost adequate for the need? For example, are FTC cards adequate enough to allow for rapid processing and interpretation of