Sensors for Monitoring Harmful Algae, Cyanobacteria and Their Toxins

23 Field testing would ideally be performed in multiple locations that were strategically selected to test extremes (e.g. hot/icy/biofouling). 1) Perform verification using a matrix of paired samples – for microscopy, preserved versus live sampling is constrained by logistics, but a solution might be to create a few “mosaics” and send to a few microscopists around the country and average the results. 2) Adjust sampling interval on the fly to catch HAB events or anomalous conditions. • Q5: What are end-user QA/QC needs for HAB data? Unfortunately, because of time constraints, this question received limited consideration from the workshop participants and no conclusions or consensus was reached. However, it is clear that QA/QC requirements remains an important issue to address. There is a need for stable designated funding to cover reagents and consumables for ongoing QA/QC needs during and between deployments, as these will directly influence data outputs. R ECOMMENDATIONS The workshop presentations, charge questions and general discussions led to a range of recommendations addressing expanded observing platform capabilities and data storage, paths for transitioning to operational use among stakeholders and associated challenges, and methods communication. Consensus recommendation statements derived from these efforts include: 1. Need for a national network of regional HAB observing systems. Consider expandability with new infrastructure builds that support multiple sensors. 2. Identify suitable reference (‘Gold’) standards . The HAB community needs to address limited deployment opportunities, instrument availability, and system complexities as formidable barriers to assessing performance of ‘gold’ standards following the traditional ACT Performance Verification model. 3. As a community, prioritize development of a cloud computing pipeline that allows for large amounts of data storage, sharing and analyses. Support investment in approaches to alleviate access bottlenecks associated with high frequency image based monitoring systems and thereby facilitate inter-calibration of species assignment algorithms and deployment opportunities. 4. Continue efforts towards inclusion and education of stakeholders (including aquaculturists given the rise in that industry) regarding the latest in Harmful Algal Bloom detection technologies. Reach out to this community by attending shellfish meetings (devise a list of regional meetings and request attendance of a geographically close HAB community representative), requesting a HAB section at meetings, inviting representatives of the